30 May, 2014
Dear Parents/Carers and Students,
As part of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Health and Safety Management Plan, government schools across Victoria are participating in an asbestos auditing program. As a result, new labelling will be installed at our school. Echuca Secondary College is one of 400 schools being audited in this round. Over time, asbestos labelling will be installed at every school with identified asbestos containing material.
As part of the College Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Compliance procedures, regular inspections by OH&S representatives are carried out to ensure that any areas containing asbestos do not present any health concerns to staff and students.
It is estimated that approximately 1,200 of Victoria’s 1,529 government schools contain some form of asbestos.
The labels remind people to contact school reception prior to undertaking any works at the school, to ensure they have up-to-date information from the school’s asbestos register.
Asbestos – which was used extensively in building materials in the past but is now banned – is considered safe unless damaged or in poor condition.
The new labels form part of a comprehensive program to ensure Victorian government schools remain safe.
Children’s safety is our number one priority. That is why we and the Department of Education are taking this extra step as a precaution.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the College or me if you have any queries or concerns.
Chris Eeles
Principal
