Statement regarding 234 Queensberry St

On Sunday 29 May, the university was notified about the possible presence of asbestos containing material (ACM) in a ground floor area of 234 Queensberry St that had been partially demolished. The presence of ACM had not been identified previously through multiple hazardous material audits.

The source of the possible ACM was sealed and the area was cleaned of ACM; an independent occupational hygiene company provided a clearance certificate on Monday 30 May.

Subsequently, the University engaged a second occupational hygiene company to confirm the results and to undertake further sampling within the building. These tests indicated the presence of ACM on the ground level, behind sealed walls and ceilings on some other levels and in a plant room on level 6.

Air monitoring has been conducted in the building during asbestos removal works as a precautionary measure since 31 May.

The results of this air monitoring confirm that airborne asbestos fibre levels have not exceeded 1/10th of the occupational exposure standard.

To date the precautionary air monitoring has been undertaken throughout the building.

The building has been closed to University staff and students to provide sufficient time to conduct further assessments. The ground floor and levels 1 and 2 have now been cleared for reopening.

The University will continue to take advice from the second independent occupational hygiene company in relation to the assessment and cleaning of any hazardous materials within the rest of the building.

As the safety and wellbeing of staff and students is the University’s first priority, it has taken an extremely conservative approach to the management of this issue.

All those affected by the building’s closure have been kept informed of progress in addressing the issue.