Asbestos find confirmed in prison after unusual exposure report

Asbestos find confirmed in prison after unusual exposure report

Asbestos removal specialists have attended Tasmania’s Risdon Prison to perform removal and remediation after cockatoos damaged the roof to such an extent that the material in the structure was exposed. 

Director of Prisons, Ian Thomas, confirmed that he had written to staff to inform them of the presence of asbestos as the site. 

In an email, he explained that “contractors have attended the site today, and have begun to remove asbestos from the roof space and ground areas identified.”

Tasmanian newspaper, The Mercury, said that it understood that the damage to the roof occurred in the education building in the Ron Barwick minimum security section of the roof, and was caused by birds. 

“I confirm that the asbestos work area is restricted to the roof area. The asbestos is very wet making it as safe as it can be,” Mr Thomas said in his email.

“All contaminated areas and at risk areas have been fenced off and evacuated and foot traffic diverted.

“Ongoing safety checks and inspections are managed in accordance with the Asbestos Removal Plan.”

He also explained that staff would be notified if they had been assigned within the current exclusion zone or if they need to take “additional control measures to ensure your safety”.

A Department of Justice spokesman that “recent heavy rainfall has dislodged debris containing asbestos from the roof of the Ron Barwick Prison,” he said.

“The areas affected have been appropriately isolated and work to remove the debris is expected to be completed soon.”

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