News in detail

 4 July 2019, 10:00 – Further indoor air quality test results: Precision mechanics,  glass apparatus work areas and mechanic service as well as the materials store will reopen on 5 July 2019

In addition to carrying out asbestos contamination level measurements in the metalworking and carpentry workshops, further indoor air quality tests were carried out and further dust contact samples were collected in neighbouring work areas (precision mechanics, materials store) on Monday, 1 July 2019 in order to rule out possible asbestos contamination in these areas. The results of the indoor air quality tests are now available: none of the samples exceeded the lower limit of 500 fibres per cubic metre. Fortunately, all samples were therefore found to be negative. The results of the contact dust samples are expected during the second week of July 2019.

Since the indoor air quality tests are negative, technical experts have recommended that the precision mechanics work area be reopened on Friday, 5 July 2019. The glass apparatus and mechanic service work areas as well as the materials store can also be reopened on 5 July 2019.

Furthermore, the test results of the contact dust samples collected on 27 June 2019 in the metalworking and carpentry workshops are also available (see below). The contact dust sample collected directly at the drilling location was measured to contain 862 asbestos fibres. This result is linked to the sample’s close proximity to the drill hole in the wall. All other contact samples from the rooms were found to be negative, which means that there is no asbestos contamination on the surfaces of the rooms.

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1 July 2019, 16:00 – Further indoor air quality tests and contact dust samples in building W

The external contractor SakostaCAU carried out indoor air quality tests and collected contact dust samples to measure asbestos contamination levels in the metalworking workshop and two rooms of the carpentry workshop in the Scientific Engineering Service W building on Thursday, 27 June 2019 (see below). The results of the indoor air quality tests are now available: link to the official indoor air quality test results (in German only)

The results for the contact dust samples are expected on 2 July 2019.

After carrying out tests to measure asbestos contamination levels in the metalworking and carpentry workshops, SakostaCAU carried out additional indoor air quality tests and collected further dust contact samples on Monday, 1 July 2019 in order to rule out possible asbestos contamination. The results are expected by Thursday, 4 July 2019 at the latest and will also be published here. As a precautionary measure, the neighbouring work areas in building W (precision mechanics, glass apparatus construction, mechanic service) will also remain closed and may not be entered until further notice.

The background:

Mechanic work areas in the Scientific Engineering Services building were closed as a precaution after an external contractor drilled through a “Promabest” wall, which contains “weakly” bound asbestos fibres. These areas include the carpentry, metalworking, precision mechanics, glass apparatus construction, and mechanic service workshops.

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 28 June 2019, 16:45 – First indoor air quality test results from building W are available

The external contractor SacostaCAU carried out indoor air quality tests and collected contact dust samples to measure asbestos contamination levels in the metalworking workshop and two rooms of the carpentry workshop in the Scientific Engineering Service W building on Thursday, 27 June 2019 (see below). First results of the indoor air quality tests are expected for 1 July 2019.

The indoor air quality test results from the metalworking workshop (room W 523) show a high fibre concentration (around 2,300 fibres per cubic metre). The results for one of the carpentry workshop rooms show a medium-range fibre concentration (about 1,000 fibres per cubic metre in room W 532). The results for the second room show a low fibre concentration (about 300 fibres per cubic metre in room W 534). The safety limit of 500 fibres per cubic metre has thus been exceeded in two rooms. Test results above this limit necessitate the implementation of safety measures to protect the room users.

Therefore, both the metalworking workshop and two rooms of the carpentry workshop will remain closed and may not be entered until further notice. The neighbouring work areas in building W (precision mechanics, glass apparatus construction, mechanic service) were also closed as a precaution. Relevant measures are currently being reviewed and coordinated with experts from SacostaCAU and representatives from Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg (the university buildings are state property and any construction work at the university must be coordinated by Vermögen und Bau). We will continue to regularly update you regarding all necessary measures, test results, next steps and especially the relevant timetable via the information portal on the re-evaluation of university buildings according to asbestos guidelines.

Staff members working in the metalworking and carpentry workshops will be personally informed about how the closure of their work areas will affect their work duties and responsibilities during this time. Please contact your work group leaders or your head of department Lothar Pinno in regard to work-related questions. The safety engineers of the University of Konstanz, Dr Heiko Hofmann and Wolfgang Hellstern, as well as the in-house physician Heike Strauß, are available to answer any questions you may have about occupational health and safety (see contact box to the right).

The background:

Tests to measure asbestos contamination levels became necessary after an external contractor drilled through a “Promabest” wall – containing “loosely” bound asbestos fibres – between the carpentry and metalworking workshops while installing a radio system at a height of four metres on the weekend of 22/23 June 2019. The carpentry and metalworking workshops as well as neighbouring work areas in building W (precision mechanics, glass apparatus construction, mechanic service) were closed as a precaution.

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27 June 2019, 13:30 – Contamination testing for asbestos is currently being carried out

On Thursday, 27 June 2019, parts of the Scientific Engineering Services building – the carpentry, metalworking and fine mechanics workshops – were closed as a precaution. This is a precautionary measure with regard to a possible release of asbestos fibres in this building. The university is currently clarifying this matter. This measure became necessary after an external contractor drilled through a wall while installing a radio system at a height of four metres on the weekend of 22/23 June 2019. This wall or wall partition – consisting of "Promabest” material with “loosely” bound asbestos fibres – is located on level W 5 between the carpentry and metalworking workshops.

Tests are being carried out today (27. June 2019) in building W to measure asbestos contamination levels. The external contractor SacostaCAU started to carry out indoor air measurements and collect contact dust samples at 14:30. The indoor air test results are expected by Monday, 1 July 2019 and will be published here. The contact sample results should follow on Tuesday, 2 July 2019.

The background:

In recent months, the university has been re-evaluated according to asbestos guidelines. These inspections and re-evaluations are being carried out regularly in buildings that were constructed in the 1970s and early 1980s, which include many of those at our university, and for which asbestos may have been used.

All information on the re-evaluations of the university is regularly posted in the information portal on the re-evaluation of the university buildings. This information portal is regularly updated and discloses current measurement results, medical and safety information, an overview of current legal regulations, information on test procedures and FAQs. Furthermore, the portal provides you with the aforementioned contact information for all relevant contact persons.