Asbestos Find Closes School

Article Added April 15th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

A temporary closure of a school for children with learning disabilities was due to asbestos being found. The material was found in the ceiling tiles of classrooms during a standard survey of the school.

A standard survey being performed at Maesgwyn Special School in Cwmdare led to the school being closed indefinitely after asbestos was discovered in the ceiling tiles. Parents and guardians were told to keep their children home for an undisclosed period of time. Though the asbestos was found in levels below the maximum allowable level, a program has been brought around to remove the asbestos to assure the continued safety of the students and teachers of the special needs school.

The parents and guardians of the 108 students, aged between 11 and 18, have received letters outlining the asbestos issue in the school. Cross sectional air tests have been conducted, confirming that the level of asbestos exposure is below the allowable level according to the Health and Safety guidelines. Parents have been assured that the closure of the school, and the removal of the students, is a precautionary measure only while further investigations are completed. The school will reopen after a council of contractors, staff and union officials approve the findings of the reports.

Article Added April 15th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story