Asbestos uncovered
City council puts tenants at risk
IWCA councillor Claire Kent will be highlighting the dangers of asbestos in council buildings, including housing, through a motion submitted to the next full council meeting.
Concerns were raised after the IWCA received reports from council tenants about asbestos being disturbed by Oxford Building Solutions (OBS) operatives during repairs and maintenance and then being left uncovered for the tenant to clean up. This could pose dangers for both tenants and OBS workers.
While the type of asbestos most commonly used in council properties—white asbestos—is thought to be safe if undisturbed, it can be lethal if broken, as the fibres responsible for mesothelioma (a type of lung cancer), if breathed in, are released into the atmosphere. Disturbed asbestos should only be cleaned up by staff with the proper training using specialist equipment.
The IWCA motion calls on the council to:
- Inform tenants about the places where asbestos is suspected to reside in their homes and warn them about the dangers of breaking the material during any repairs or home improvements.
- Set up a team of staff that will specialise in the removal of asbestos and provide them with appropriate equipment.
- Check vandalised garage sites for asbestos and put warning stickers on them.
After submitting the motion Cllr Kent was contacted by a council officer who asked her to consider withdrawing it, warning that the issue could cause unnecessary concern if publicised. The officer suggested it was better if the council was given the opportunity to deal with the potential asbestos problem without alarming people.
However, the IWCA believes the public has a right to know. Claire Kent said, ‘Unfortunately, in the light of experience, we don’t have confidence in the council on its own to take all the steps required and deal with the problem sufficiently quickly.
‘Those potentially at risk need to know. How could we turn around several weeks down the line and tell tenants that we knew about the dangers but thought it best not to inform them. In our view it would be grossly irresponsible for public representatives to do that.’
Leys Independent, issue 30, November 2005
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