Schlaining Castle takes precautions over possible asbestos

Schlaining Castle in Burgenland’s Oberwart district is being treated for a possible asbestos risk identified by Greenpeace, ORF reported. The state holding company described the work as a precautionary measure.

The existing material will not be replaced, removed or broken up. Instead, workers are wetting the affected surface and covering it with new material, the state holding company said on Tuesday. It said the work would not create dust and would be carried out using the required protective equipment.

Watering and other measures are intended to prevent any theoretically possible release of asbestos. The work is due to finish before the castle’s “Burg Geflüster” Halloween event begins on 15 October. A “Winterwunder” event is scheduled for 26 November.

Greenpeace said on Tuesday morning that, according to a whistleblower, none of the workers was wearing respiratory protection. The environmental organisation said it had informed the labour inspectorate.