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Friable asbestos sheeting has been found in the roof of a Merewether High School building.
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The sheeting was discovered throughout the roof cavity on the top floor of K Block during a recent inspection undertaken ahead of scheduled maintenance.
While the majority of the school's buildings date from the mid-1970s, some parts of the school were built in the 1950s and 60s.
The Department of Education's 2015 asbestos register for the school will be updated as a result of the find.
"A survey of the site was undertaken in 2010 to identify the presence of asbestos on the school site. Following compilation of the school's asbestos register, a review was undertaken in 2015 by an independent occupational hygienist." a Department of Education spokeswoman said.
"A re-inspection survey of all identified asbestos containing material on the school's asbestos register will be conducted this week to provide an updated register and an accurate condition rating and location of the known asbestos on site."
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The department described the material found in the K Block roof cavity as "friable fibre cement sheeting."
Cement sheeting was made of asbestos fibres and cement mix, usually in the ratio of 1:9. The asbestos fibres are bound in the cement matrix, preventing them from moving. The fibres don't tend to be released as long as the sheeting is intact and not cut or drilled.
The area around K Block has since been sealed off and air monitoring and ceiling encapsulation works have been put in place.
"Air monitoring has consistently returned results below the minimum detection limit," the spokeswoman said.
"An independent hygienist has issued a clearance certificate allowing the classrooms to be reoccupied."
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Work to remediate the area will commence this weekend.
"The department will work with staff at Merewether High School to ensure work has minimal impact to school operations and will continue to keep the community updated," the spokeswoman said.
"Air monitoring will remain in place for the duration of work."
"All future planned/unplanned works on the site will be managed in accordance with the Asbestos Management Plan, and the asbestos register is always consulted before any works are undertaken at a school."
A contractor installing data cables under the sub-floor of the school's heritage building discovered multiple fragments of bonded asbestos.
While the area is not accessible to students and staff, it is unclear how long the potentially hazardous material had been there for.
The area was due to be fully remediated last weekend.
The incident followed the discovery of Super Six asbestos sheeting in the roof cavity of heritage building late last year.