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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Helen Gregory

Asbestos removalists to visit Newcastle High

Picture: Marina Neil

ASBESTOS removalists will visit Newcastle High School on Saturday to get rid of the hazardous material, which is required as part of planned maintenance works.

Relieving principal Rochelle Dooley wrote to parents this week and attached the Schools Infrastructure NSW works notification.

"Significant precautions have been put in place to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of the students, staff and the local community is of the highest priority," Ms Dooley wrote.

"Please be assured that the removal of this material will not pose a risk."

The notification said testing would ensure the site is fully remediated and families would be informed if further material is found which requires removal.

A Department of Education spokesperson told the Newcastle Herald a cracked window had to be replaced in building B.

"Putty around school windows of similar age and type has been tested previously by an independent hygienist and confirmed to be bonded asbestos," she said.

"This means the asbestos is attached to other material such as cement or vinyl and cannot be crumbled by light pressure. In line with the department's usual practices, the material will be removed due to the need to replace the window."

She said it will be removed in accordance with the department's Asbestos Management Plan and SafeWork NSW regulations.

She said all work would be completed by licensed and accredited asbestos removalists, and monitored by occupational hygienists in strict accordance with all applicable legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines.

"No asbestos containing material will be removed during school hours. Air monitoring will occur during removal. The site will then be cleaned, inspected and a clearance certificate issued by the hygienist, before the facility is returned to the school for normal use."

NSW Teachers Federation's Jack Galvin Waight said the union was concerned about any instance of asbestos in schools, "especially after the department and state government openly admitted they handled the Newcastle East Public School situation poorly".

"Asbestos is a serious issue and every instance needs to be investigated thoroughly," he said.

"The department has a responsibility to immediately investigate claims of suspected asbestos in schools and ensure a safe working environment for both staff and students."

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