Teachers Want Asbestos Gone by 2010
Teachers unions in the U.K., startled by yet another death of a teacher due to asbestos exposure, have issued a decree demanding that all asbestos be cleared from schools by 2010.
According to an article in the Daily Post, a Welsh newspaper, as the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) began their annual conference in Torquay yesterday, delegates were expected to back demands for the government to survey all schools for asbestos.
In a written statement, delegates to the ATL conference called for “the complete removal of asbestos from all educational establishments” by 2010.
“We are deeply concerned about the continuing risk to teachers, support staff and pupils from asbestos,” said ATL general secretary Dr. Mary Bousted.
“We don’t know how many schools still contain asbestos, so most teachers have little idea of whether they or their pupils are being exposed. Schools should keep and maintain asbestos registers to record the locations and condition of any asbestos and let staff know,” she suggested.
“Over 400 ATL members know they have been exposed to asbestos in their school or college. But this is the tip of the iceberg. Many teachers and pupils will be unaware, and because asbestos related illnesses take between 15 to 60 years to develop it is difficult to know how many will become ill or die as a result of exposure.”
NUT, the National Union of Teachers, have also called for similar actions. “[Authorities] are duty bound by law to ensure schools under their control are hazard free,” said David Evans, NUT Wales secretary.
