Julie Winn, partner at Morrish Solicitors, Chair of the Joint Union Asbestos Campaign and spokesperson for Asbestos in Schools campaign, discusses the issue of asbestos in schools for Action Mesothelioma Day 2011. JUAC and AiS call for the UK government to adopt a US-style approach to managing asbestos in schools. In the US, where schools produce an annual report on the condition and management practices of asbestos on their premises and asbestos is inspected every 6-12 months. Every year in the UK, more and more teachers and support staff are dying from mesothelioma contracted when they were exposed to asbestos in their workplace.
Take a look at the Asbestos In Schools website asbestosexposureschools.co.uk for more information. Ian Stone at AiS is an expert on asbestos removal. I hope this helps.
MorrishSolicitors in reply to Buntzums (Show the comment) 9 months ago
oh I see - at any rate I've been to two supposed asbestos removals the guys had a paper jump suit - masking tape - put plastic bags over stuff and took it it out - it still is easy I think. The school system should just get it over with if it's in the air. (that's just what I think) A friend of mine worked at a drywall recycling plant where they took the asbestos for disposal and worries about his health as well.
Buntzums 9 months ago
Asbestos removal takes more than just a mask. Asbestos suits are full body, including air monitors to ensure the wearer is not inhaling the deadly mineral. In removing asbestos, fibres are released into the air where they can fall onto clothing and the surrounds. Usually the entire area needs to be sealed to minimise the risk of stray fibres escaping and being breathed in.
MorrishSolicitors in reply to Buntzums (Show the comment) 9 months ago
yeah in the east side of Vancouver BC asbestos kills construction workers who are around it all the time - it takes like 20-50 years usually but it sucks. The rule of thumb seems to be - if it's solid like in floor tiles leave it alone - get rid of it if it's not like in ceiling tiles and insulation. Seriously bad stuff to inhale. If ppz listening get masks and get rid of it! right away! So that people don't get a surprise later.
Buntzums in reply to MorrishSolicitors (Show the comment) 9 months ago
You'd be surprised how much it IS like rocket science. Asbestos is a deadly material and more and more teachers are dying from it each year. If you look up 'asbestos removal' on YouTube, you will see many videos which show the necessary steps to safely removing asbestos from a building It is possible, yes, but it is by no means simple and the risks are hazardous.
MorrishSolicitors in reply to Buntzums (Show the comment) 9 months ago
why not just have the stuff riped out with masks - not really rocket science and they have allmost 2 months to do it every year... ? 0_0
Buntzums 9 months ago