NSW: Most asbestos in schools and TAFE is safe: Coutts-Trotter

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2008
NSW: Most asbestos in schools and TAFE is safe: Coutts-Trotter

Most of the schools and TAFE's in New South Wales are perfectly safe even though they're
riddled with asbestos according to the state's Director-General of Education.

MICHAEL COUTTS-TROTTER says asbestos was a common building material between the 1920s
and mid 1980s and in most cases it's safe as long as its bound in asbestos cement.

The Daily Telegraph has revealed more than two thousand schools and TAFE buildings
have asbestos in their classrooms .. canteens .. childcare facilities and toilets .. and
also buried under playgrounds.

The NSW government has launched a statewide management plan and program of works to
minimise the risk to students and staff .. and others working at or visiting the facilities.

Mr COUTTS-TROTTER says each public school and TAFE college in NSW was given copies
of the asbestos site register in October last year and the information is now available
online.

AAP RTV bsb/wjf/crh

KEYWORD: ASBESTOS (SYDNEY)

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