Renovations resumed after asbestos removed

A7

By Corinne Fitzherbert

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School District 14's superintendent expects Tobique Valley Middle High School will open on time, Sept. 2, despite on-going renovations to its ventilation system. During the summer, an asbestos removal company had to be called in once it was discovered holes had been cut through plaster which contains one to five per cent asbestos. There were concerns the dust created might contain asbestos fibres although tests found no traces of the material.

"We are confident that Tobique Valley High School will be a safe and positive learning environment for our students and staff when they return," Lisa Gallagher, superintendent of District 14, stated via an e-mail.

Gallagher said renovation work at the school started in July under the guidance of the Department of Supply and Services. The plan was to install a mechanical system in the old section of the school to provide fresh air exchange to the classrooms and work areas.

"On July 24, it was noticed that some holes were cut in the walls where the plaster coating on the block walls contained one to five per cent asbestos," Gallagher stated. "The renovation stopped immediately and Workplace Health and Safety (WHSCC) was contacted and a company hired to test the air and the dust created from cutting the holes in the wall for asbestos content. The tests came back with no traces of asbestos found."

Gallagher stated WHSCC decided to bring in another company to test for asbestos in the dust created by cutting the holes. They couldn't find any traces either but did confirm the wall plaster contains from one to five per cent asbestos.

"As a precaution, the people that were exposed to this area were contacted to fill out a WHSCC form indicating that they may have been exposed to asbestos fibres," Gallagher's release stated. "The affected area was sealed off and an asbestos removal company hired to seal the edges of the cut plaster and clean up the entire area."

The asbestos removal company also removed the plaster on the block walls where the remaining holes needed to be cut and cleaned up that area too, Gallagher stated.

"Work on the ventilation system will continue after school has started but will mostly be confined to the mechanical room and will not affect the staff or students," the release added.

Although no school students were affected by the summer work, staff and patrons of the Plaster Rock Public School Library were. The library was closed for a day when concerns about the asbestos fibres were raised and some parents chose not to bring their youngsters to summer reading club activities once news of the situation spread.