Education and Skills written question – answered at on 14 March 2006.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment her Department has made of the prevalence of the practice of inserting drawing pins and staples into asbestos insulating boards in schools; what steps her Department is taking to communicate the potential health risks associated with this practice to schools; if she will update the asbestos guidance for schools (a) to emphasise that this practice should cease immediately and (b) to reflect the conclusions of the WATCH Committee (WATCH/2006/2) once its final report is published; and if she will make a statement.
DfES has made no assessment of the practice of inserting drawing pins into asbestos insulating boards but is aware that various assessments were considered by the recent Health and Safety Commission's WATCH Committee. We are waiting for the Watch Committee final report and will be meeting the HSE and other education stakeholders to discuss the issues raised. We will also be considering with the HSE what actions need to be taken in the light of the findings of the Watch Committee. This may include updating HSE and DfES advice concerning asbestos management in schools.
Yes2 people think so
No2 people think not
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