Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...

7097
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009
Answer—
I am advised:
There are four committees or significant advisory groups that are administered or managed by the RTA.
These committees ⁄ significant advisory groups are:
• The Roads and Traffic Advisory Council.
• The RTA Local Government Liaison Committee.
• The Bicycle Advisory Council.
• The NSW Road Freight Advisory Council.
*7487 FUME CUPBOARDS—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister
for Women—
In relation to fume cupboards in the science classrooms at Wauchope High School:
(1) Do the available fume cupboards meet Australian Standards?
(2) If so, why were stickers placed on them 2 years ago to the effect that they did not?
(3) If not, why have they not been replaced⁄upgraded?
(4) When will they be replaced⁄upgraded?
Answer—
(1) I am advised that the fume cupboards at Wauchope High School met the Australian Standard at the
time of installation. While the Australian Standard for new fume cupboards has since changed, the
fume cupboards at Wauchope High School remain fit for use in secondary schools.
(2) I am advised that the stickers were placed on the fume cupboards incorrectly.
(3) I am advised that, as the fume cupboards met the Australian Standard at the time of installation and
remain fit for use in secondary schools, there is no requirement for them to be upgraded.
The Australian Standard applies more broadly to universities, industry and health facilities.
Risks associated with the use of fume cupboards in the secondary school environment are minimised
by the use of risk mitigation strategies, such as the Chemical Safety in Schools package and advice
on the identification and use of fume cupboards. The Chemical Safety in Schools package was
developed in 2000 with external consultants from the University of NSW and WorkCover who were
aware of the science facilities present in NSW government secondary schools. For example, the
Chemical Safety in Schools package prohibits the use of certain chemicals in the school environment
and regulates access to others.
I am informed that at no stage has the Department of Education and Training been advised that its
fume cupboards represent a risk to the health and safety of any student or staff member. I am further
advised that, due to the risk mitigation strategies in place in the school environment, the risk required
to be controlled by school fume cupboards is significantly less than those found in industry,
university and health facilities for which the standard fume cupboard is also designed.
(4) A project to upgrade the Block E science laboratories, preparation area, chemical store and fume
cupboard has been nominated for inclusion in a future minor capital works program. Funding for this
project will continue to be considered against competing regional and state-wide capital works
priorities.
*7488 DSRD COMMITTEES AND BOARDS—Mr Andrew Stoner asked the Minister for Education and
Training, and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy,
Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development—
In relation to DSRD committees and boards:
(1) Of the 369 NSW Government committees and boards (as noted in the SMH on 20 July 2009), how
many are administered⁄managed from the Department of State and Regional Development?
(2) What are the names of each of these committees and boards that satisfy (1)?
Answer—
(1) 12.
(2)
• Regional Development Advisory Council
• NSW-Asia Business Council
• NSW Manufacturing Council
• NSW Medical Research Liaison Group
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