Asbestos scare rocks major Queensland high school

Another Queensland high school has suffered an asbestos scare, with claims staff reports of a problem were not addressed quickly.

An asbestos scare has rocked a major Queensland high school, with staff complaining their concerns were not addressed quickly enough.

The Department of Education confirmed to The Courier-Mail that investigators were sent to Beaudesert State High School after a report of drill holes in an office ceiling which likely contained asbestos.

A spokeswoman said QBuild was contacted by the school on May 11 after a staff member raised concerns, though did not confirm when the initial staff report to school administrators was made.

“The health, safety, and wellbeing of students and staff in Queensland is the highest priority of the department and a thorough investigation is under way to establish the circumstances,” the spokeswoman said.

QBuild attended the school on the same day as the report was made to the department, and a patch was applied to the ceiling.

“As soon as the department was made aware of the concerns, a hygienist was engaged who carried out testing and confirmed that no airborne asbestos is present,” she said.

“Access to the office was restricted as a precautionary measure but clearance has now been given to lift these restrictions.”

The state government says QBuild was sent to investigate the day the complaint was made.

Teachers’ Professional Association of Queensland have claimed members allegedly reported a potential problem to Beaudesert State High School as early as February.

TPAQ secretary Tracy Tull said members from the high school – which has about 1300 students and 100 staff – had informed the association of multiple issues within the school’s B Block, along with the drill holes.

“Staff were finally informed and their biggest fears were realised – their working environment is not a safe place and is contaminated with asbestos and a cracked ceiling, lights that don’t work, electrical wiring tripping the power and airconditioning that hasn’t been inspected or cleaned for air quality for over six years,” Ms Tully said.

Alleged delays in reporting of potential asbestos incidents was highlighted late last year, after teachers and students were exposed to asbestos after a contractor penetrated a wall and a ceiling at Sunnybank State High School.

A Right to Information request about an alleged breach over the handling of asbestos at the school in late 2020 found there was a delay between a cleaner reporting a concern that contractors installing airconditioning had drilled into asbestos sheeting, and a professional clean-up crew being deployed.

A report last month found asbestos removal in Queensland schools had topped $13 million in the past financial year – including a $2.6m removal job at SSHS – with asbestos removed from almost 200 ageing schools.

Ms Tully also claimed members had reported to the association “disturbing reports” of school staff working in white dust and particles while refurbishment was taking place in the building, without knowing it contained asbestos.

But the department refuted those reports, and said new plasterboard – not containing asbestos – had been sanded in an adjacent office.

The department spokeswoman said it was continuing to investigate with their school their processes for inspecting, cleaning and management of air conditioners.

“Regarding lights, the school has advised that a light bulb was recently replaced in B Block and there has been one occasion where the lighting circuit may have tripped,” she said.

“This was rectified and no further issues have been reported.

LNP education spokesman Dr Christian Rowan said the revelations of possible asbestos exposure should “ring alarm bells” for the state government.

“Just a year after we learnt of the government’s failure to manage asbestos exposure at Sunnybank State High School, we have yet another example,” he said.

“It is not good enough for the government to sit on its hands as the health and safety of school staff and students is compromised.”

Dr Rowan also said it was crucial “proper health and safety procedures are understood and followed at all times”.

“Potential asbestos exposure requires diligent management processes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, teachers and staff,” he said.