Council pressure could expose school pupils to asbestos cancer risk
UKATA offers support to Yardley School as decontamination work continues
The decision of a Birmingham headteacher to keep her school closed, despite growing pressure from the city council to reopen, has been backed by The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) this week. Yardley School in Tyseley was contaminated by asbestos following a nearby fire at an industrial estate and despite asbestos removal specialists still being on site; Birmingham City Council have advised the school to reopen.
“Yardley School’s decision to remain closed whilst the asbestos released from a recent nearby fire is cleared is certainly the correct one,” said Craig Evans, General Manager of UKATA. “Every parent has an expectation when they send their child to school that they will be safe. However, with pictures posted by the school’s head this week revealing that work is still underway to decontaminate the site, student welfare simply cannot be guaranteed.”
Following the council’s advice that the school should reopen, headteacher Rose Hughes reacted by posting pictures and a statement on the school’s website that clearly showed environmental services contractors still removing the substance from the site. Asbestos is still the biggest workplace killer in the UK, causing diseases such as mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer which affects the victim later in life for which there is no cure.
When undisturbed asbestos is usually harmless, however the danger occurs when asbestos dust become airborne when disturbed and is subsequently inhaled. The dangerous nature of asbestos means that those removing it must have received the correct training from a UKATA approved training supplier and have all the relevant certification to back up their training.
“The removal of the asbestos at Yardley School is currently being dealt with by experts and until they give the green light, the pupils should not return,” said Craig. “Safe removal by trained professionals is essential for public health and whilst both parents and the council are understandably anxious that children are missing out on their education, their safety cannot and should not be compromised. The risk from asbestos must never be underestimated.”
Asbestos was used heavily in building materials prior to the fatal effects of “the hidden killer” being fully appreciated and as a result, much asbestos still remains in many homes and buildings throughout the country.
“Asbestos is still out there in many buildings, however most of the time, when the building is structurally sound it can cause no harm,” explained Craig. “However in this case, a nearby building containing asbestos burnt down and smoke is the perfect vehicle for spreading asbestos dust. Any remaining asbestos could severely damage the health of the 975 pupils of Yardley School and we would always advise people to err on the side of caution where asbestos is concerned.”
UKATA sets standards in asbestos training and ensures that its members meet those standards. A full list of approved asbestos training providers can be found on the UKATA website, www.ukata.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors
UKATA provides specialist training for asbestos removal agencies, any agency that has completed their intensive course is listed as an accredited agent on the UKATA website, www.ukata.org.
Photograph and caption:
Craig Evans, General Manager of UKATA (The UK Asbestos Training Association).
Original Source:
Birmingham Mail, 16.10.2014
Yardleys School in Tyseley in asbestos closure row with Birmingham City Council
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/yardleys-school-tyseley-asbestos-closure-7942470
Media contact:
Jon Gardner
BeyondPR
Mobile: 07930 697773
DDI: 0114 275 6996
REF: UKATA00156 – Yardley School Release
Published on Friday 24th October 2014