‘Blue water’ review team visit schools over health and safety concerns

The independent team reviewing health and safety concerns at a school campus in North Lanarkshire has visited the schools to speak to staff.

The Scottish Government ordered the review last week after it emerged four current and former teachers have been diagnosed with cancer and concerns were raised about possible chemical contamination.

Education Secretary John Swinney announced that the Scottish Government would carry out an “independent and impartial” review at the shared Buchanan and St Ambrose High School site.

Parents and teachers flagged up worries about the Coatbridge campus, which was previously used to store waste, after ‘blue water’ was seen coming from the taps.

The NASUWT union has announced strike action as a result of the health and safety fears.  

Paul Cackette and Dr Margaret Hannah, who are leading the review, met with the headteachers of both schools, public health experts from NHS Lanarkshire and representatives of North Lanarkshire Council.

The review is looking at specific health and safety concerns raised as well as the history, construction and maintenance of the site.

The team have written to the relevant statutory bodies, including North Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire, Health Protection Scotland, the Health and Safety Executive, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Water and the Drinking Water Quality Regulator to supply all information they hold in relation to the remit of the review by 25 June.

The team are also due to meet parents next week.