Please see communication below which we have been asked to share by Jackie Reid, Service Director:
Dear Parent/Carer,
You may be aware of the demolition work being carried out at Milford House, 58 Duddingston Road, Edinburgh and associated concerns from members of the public regarding dust being generated by the work and the potential presence of asbestos within this building. The Health and Safety Executive regulate on matters relating to safe working practices associated with demolition and construction work. Helpful information about Demolition work can be found via the link below:
Demolition – HSE . (Please note, there is information on the website about building control responsibilities, however, this reflects the system in England and Wales and not the system in Scotland.)
Should anyone wish to report concerns about the manner in which demolition work is being carried out, this can be done via the HSE website.
I should like to reassure you that Council Officers are working with the Contractor, and the Health and Safety Executive, to ensure the safety of young people and staff attending the schools and early learning centres in close proximity. This includes ensuring that adequate protective works are in place, such as fences and hoardings, to separate the construction site, from adjacent buildings and public spaces, and to ensure the buildings services are closed off. This will remain under close review with any identified issues reported immediately. I should like to confirm that Chris Lawson, Head of Health, Safety Risk and Resilience, has confirmed that there is no intelligence to suggest community contamination from these works at this time. Therefore, there is no current identified risk to the young people and staff attending the schools and early learning centre in the close proximity of Milford House. The FM Asbestos Team has been in contact with the Architect for 58 Duddingston Road who was able to confirm they had been carrying out reassurance air tests on site which confirm the conditions on site to be safe. It has been confirmed that contractor has sprinklers in place operating to support dust suppression on site and have been carrying out air testing daily which has not shown any elevated levels. In addition, the Council are arranging for our own air testing at the Nursery neighbouring the site this week. Therefore, there is no identified risk from this site. If any intelligence comes to light that wider community contamination is, or has occurred, immediate action will be taken.
Regards,
St John’s Primary