Schools and TAFE colleges across the district which were built between the 1920s and 1980s will now have a mandatory asbestos register to allow parents, teachers and construction workers to access records which outline where the material is in the school.
Central West district media officer, Grant Hatch, said schools and colleges will have two registers to allow builders and teachers to know where the asbestos material is in case of disturbance but that parents should not be alarmed.
“This is simply a precautionary measure as asbestos is not dangerous unless the fibres are disturbed and released into the air.
“Everywhere there may be possible asbestos will be taken note of for future reference.”
“The whole idea behind the register is so that builders and construction workers do not disturb asbestos and that if accidentally disturbed the appropriate steps are taken.”
Western NSW regional director, Carole McDiarmid, said the survey was simply a safety precaution and that all the appropriate steps had been taken.
“The Department of Education and Training has conducted surveys of all schools and colleges identifying material that is known to or suspected to contain asbestos.
“The Commonwealth Department of Health has assured that the risks associated with installed, undisturbed asbestos cement products are negligible,” she said.
Mrs McDiarmid said that each principal or campus manager will be provided with two copies of the register.
“Any interested parent, students, staff or community member can examine the specific details for their school or college,” Mrs McDiarmid said.