Council To Remove Asbestos From Fire Damaged Building
The District Council of Coober Pedy is gearing up to remove asbestos from a fire-damaged building in the town’s main street.
The business complex suffered a serious fire in July which released asbestos into the air. Community members who work in the area have attempted to convince the council of the dangers to their health.
The council decided at a special meeting that the asbestos will be removed at an estimated cost of $75,000.
Mayor Baines is convinced the public will not be put at risk.
“There will be constant air monitoring undertaken and they are a licensed asbestos removal company,” he said.
Baines is confused as to why the council is facing the removal bill after weeks of negotiating with various authorities to try and remedy the issue.
“Everybody started ducking and weaving as soon as we tried to get some action,” he said.
He says the council may, in future, consider seeking a change to legislation to put the onus on a government body to deal with the removal instead of the council.
The removal work is expected to be completed shortly.
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Source : http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-19/council-steps-in-to-remove-asbestos-from-fire-hit/4967596
Education Minister to Investigate Delayed Asbestos Report
Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek will investigate claims that there was a long delay in reporting an asbestos discovery at a Brisbane state school.
Thus far, part of the grounds at the Graceville State School have been restricted or closed off until repairs are finished and further testing is conducted.
A recent meeting at the school revealed that asbestos was discovered in May but a report was not filed with Educations Queensland until this month.
Lanbroek states the matter will be closely investigated.
“It would be a question for everyone if any asbestos is found and located, then it’s really important of course that we lock down the situation as the principal did yesterday and then investigate it,” he said.
“We’ll make sure we look into the details of what happened at that parents and community meeting and make sure we advise everyone of the circumstances.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-19/minister-to-probe-delayed-asbestos-report-at-brisbane-school/4968070
Asbestos Removal: AWA Concerned With Disposal Risks
The Asbestos Awareness Association has cautioned young people about the dangerous associated with the killer building material.
President of the local AWA group Geoff Maul is concerned that expensive safe disposal methods are enticing young DIY renovators to under take risky jobs.
Maul has subsequently called for government subsidies on asbestos removal and disposal.
“Ninety-five per cent of the houses in the north, not just Port Augusta, would have asbestos somewhere in them,” he said.
“They should do something to encourage people to safely dump asbestos.”
In Port Augusta, non-friable asbestos can be disposed of at the TPI Waste Transfer Station. However, it needs to be wrapped and sealed in black plastic and only then will it be removed at a cost starting at $133.50/half tonne and $267 per tonne. However, SafeWork SA recommends using a license asbestos contractor, which can make the process significantly more expensive
However the removal of asbestos can be far more costly with SafeWok SA recommending the use of a licensed asbestos contractor.
Port Augusta City Council director of infrastructure Hayden Hart said “The disposal of asbestos need not be a daunting experience, it can be easily and affordably disposed of at the Footner Road Waste Transfer Station,”
“I also strongly encourage anyone considering removing asbestos from their home to read through the SafeWork SA guide, which is a great source of information.”
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Source: http://www.transcontinental.com.au/story/1766292/awa-concerned-with-asbestos-disposal/?cs=1286
Asbestos Training: Asbestos Dump Discovered in Bucca Bush
Bushwalkers have made an unsettling discovery in bushland near Bucca.
A heap of dumped asbestos sheeting has been uncovered in the Blackbutt Natural Regrowth area.
Local WIRES volunteer Arlene Hope stated that the deadly building material was discovered in the bush early last week.
“We could not believe someone could be so criminally irresponsible,” Ms Hope said.
“Dumping asbestos carelessly like that poses all sorts of dangers to the public and potentially wildlife.
The culprits responsible are subject to a fine of up to $1-million for the illegal dumping of the hazardous material.
An inspection of the site revealed that the dumping had been done very recently. Those responsible would’ve traveled along the Bucca road so investigations are being conducted.
NSW Forestry, the Coffs Harbour City Council and State Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser has been informed of the incident and inquiries are ongoing.
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Source: http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/asbestos-found-dumped-bush-bucca/2001083/
Camden Pleas for Greater Asbestos Powers
Camden Council is pleading for stronger powers in order to deal with asbestos problems, and to deliver harsher penalties for people who neglect clean up orders.
The plea emerged as the council currently pursues two homeowners whoit claims have thus far failed to remove asbestos that is exposed on their properties.
The council has been in contact with the Camden property owner since a house fire earlier this year uncovered asbestos. The council subsequently contacted the owner and their insurance company to have it removed.
Mayor Lara Symkowiak said the council’s instructions for the asbestos to be removed have since been ignored.
she did not deny the possibility of the council removing the asbestos and recovering its costs from the homeowner.
“This is an extreme situation and is not council’s preferred method of dealing with the matter,” she said.
“The costs associated with the clean up of asbestos can be high and the responsibility for compliance should rest with the owner of the site.
“Council is awaiting a response from the mortgagee for the supply of specialist reports undertaken as part of the investigations on this site to gauge the extent of works that may be required, should the work not be undertaken in the immediate future.
“Council is committed to ensuring the safety of our community, especially where asbestos is involved.”
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Source:http://www.camdenadvertiser.com.au/story/1626665/need-for-powers-on-asbestos/?cs=1184
Renovators Warned About Asbestos Dangers
Maitland home renovators will be central in a campaign about the dangers of asbestos found within walls of many of the city’s pre-1987 houses.
Asbestos is often found lurking beneath floor coverings, behind walls and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, eaves, garages, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions, outdoor toilets and even dog kennels and backyard sheds.
Betty the educational mobile home, along with volunteers Geoff and Karen Wicks, will visit Maitland on Tuesday to highlight the various dangers of home renovation.
They will demonstrate the surprising locations where asbestos is sometimes found in homes
Betty is the of her kind and helped launch the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute in partnership with the Asbestos Education Committee.
Betty;s tour will see her travel 1800 kilometres in 16 days.
Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world because it was one of the top consumers of asbestos and its products in the 20th century. Almost every home built or renovated before 1987 is likely to contain asbestos, while one in three homes contains the deadly substance
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Source: http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1647281/renovators-warned-of-asbestos/?cs=171
Alabanese Closely Monitors NBN Asbestos Situation
Acting Prime minister Anthony Albanese assured that strict safety procedures being implemented to deal with handle any further uncovered asbestos during the National Broadband Network rollout.
Albanese was in Coffs Harbour where he referenced the asbestos scare in Coffs Harbour and any repeat incident will be managed with great care.
“Each and every time there’s a project in which asbestos is present, it needs to be managed according to best occupational health and safety practice.” he said.
“This is not an issue that will be dealt with over a day or a week, this is an issue that is dealt with whenever you deal with infrastructure.”
Mr Albanese said the NBN can have a significant impact on education and healthcare.
“Now just think about the silly debate that goes on about costs,” he said.
“The costs of hospitalisation, the costs of trips to the GP, the costs of nurses going to the home to look after people.
“That’s why this is such a no brainer, this is about saving money, not spending money.”
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-05/close-watch-for-asbestos-in-nbn-rollout/4802052
Library Closes Amidst Asbestos Scare
The Alice Springs Library has been closed following an asbestos scare.
The town’s Mayor revealed that a pocket of encapsulated asbestos was found on Thursday while workmen were installing a new airconditioner unit.
Damien Ryan reported that an environmental company spent Friday testing the entire library and its contents for asbestos contamination
Fortunately the results were found to be negative but the library will remain closed for another week until the asbestos has been removed.
“I’d like to encourage all of our library borrowers who have got books that are due to be returned to hang on to them for another week because the delivery box on the side of the library, that room is now full from people returning things but we can’t get staff in there,” he said.
*Update*
The Alice Springs Library will not reopen at least until next week
Greg Buxton from the Alice Springs Town Council says it is a long and complex process to ensure the building is now safe.
“A very tedious process,” he said.
“I mean not only do you have to remove the material, you’ve got to clean down everything in there and wipe down all wires and tracks and ceilings and things like that, so it’s quite a complicated, long process.
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“Source:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-08/asbestos-scare-closes-alice-library/4806020
Telstra Uncovers More Asbestos-Contaminated Soil
Telstra has once again discovered asbestos in the soil scattered throughout its telecommunications pits in Sydney’s west.
In Junem Telstra shut down its asbestos removal program at telecommunications pits throughout the nation after concerns were raised that community had been exposed to the deadly fibres during remediation work.
Penrith was one of the sites first to be shut down and several members of the community were forced to evacuate their homes.
Telstra has since finished the clean-up work at five pits in the area but the inspections of 16 others, found more asbestos in the soil.
Telstra says 11 other pits throughout the area will be cleaned up by this week.
In a statement, the telco said it is uncertain whether the asbestos contamination came from the pits.
A review by Telstra this month revealed that key contractors needed more supervision and better supplies. .
Telstra’s chief operations officer Brendon Riley said the company will ensure that all mandatory standards are met by all staff.
Asbestos was often used in the 1980’s as a building material. It has since been prohibited to use, but remains a rising cause of death.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-25/telstra-uncovers-more-asbestos-contaminated-soil-around-pits-in/4779746?section=nsw
Kambah Family Suffers Asbestos Exposure
WorkSafe ACT will direct a Canberra builder to the Director of Public Prosecutions after workers risked the lives of a Kambah family by risking exposing them to asbestos.
Over a month ago, parents Justin and Erin Thompson had to leave their home for more than three weeks after builders used angle grinders to cut through asbestos sheeting during bathroom renovations, contaminating the family’s home.
”Our neighbour came over and told us he thought there was asbestos being placed out the front of our house,” Mr Thompson said.
”He confronted the builder and the guy told him he didn’t know what he was talking about, so our neighbour called WorkSafe and they tested it and confirmed it was very dangerous.”
Over 120 personal items, such as dozens of contaminated children’s toys, had to be destroyed in order to prevent further risks to the family.
WorkSafe ACT Commissioner Mark McCabe said they had issued three prohibition notices,as well as two improvement notices and two infringements.
”There is no such thing as asbestos which is not dangerous so this is very concerning, especially coming from an established company who members of the public would assume they can trust,” he said.
”We are treating this case very seriously and my advice for anyone worried about what work is being undertaken at their home is to immediately contact ACT Planning and Land Authority or WorkSafe and we will investigate.”
NSW Electrical Trades Union assistant secretary Neville Betts was appalled at the case. ‘The poor buggers sat through three days of asbestos risk because of the dodgy builder,” he said. ”I have had a quick chat to some other union members and we have asked the family to give us a list of the children’s toys so we can replace them.”
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Source: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/family-exposed-to-deadly-asbestos-20130517-2jsjg.html#ixzz2UNBODBuv
Verdict Reached For 2 Year Old Asbestos Case
A Sydney judge has finally reached a verdict two years after hearing a case against the founder of the Clean Up Israel environmental campaign. The accused was said to have been causing land and water pollution by allegedly dumping asbestos-contaminated waste on his property Wollondilly.
Justice Rachel Pepper from the Land and Environment Court admitted that the delay in the hearing against Foxman and his company was “unacceptable and regrettable”.
It has also come to light that the delay affected other prosecutions relating to the incident which subsequently stalled any development or clean up at the site since the reported 2010 dumping.
The Land and Environment Court stated their intentions to deliver most delayed judgments within three months.
”However, competing demands, complex cases and judicial leave can sometimes make this deadline unattainable,” it said.
Following eight days of hearings in February and March 2011, Justice Pepper delayed her verdict on the matter.
Foxman and his company have been accused of unlawfully disposing of up to 35,000 tonnes of soil ridden asbestos on his Wollondilly construction site.
Foxman attempted to defend the actions and stated that the delay had had significant effects on him and his company and it was ”extraordinary and unjust to have to wait so long”.
”I have had no way of clearing my name and that has had a devastating effect,” he said. ”It is a horrible situation … I have not been able to put a shovel in the ground for three years.”
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/asbestos-verdict-in-two-years-20130518-2jtaj.html#ixzz2TyR5q8PQ
Unions to Submit Asbestos Report on Telstra Site
Workplace safety watchdog Comcare verified reports that it is looking into various issues at the Telstra pits.
Federal Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, and companies heading the $37.4 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) out of Tasmania are poised to receive a report on asbestos issues related to the construction project .
Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) official David Mier recalled that approximately 85 per-cent of contractors working in asbestos ridden pits, lacked the necessary safety training.
Mier stated the lack of training by NBN co-contractor Visionstream, have left the pits exposed and liable to endanger lives.
Network builder NBN Co claims to be awaiting further details from the union as to whether or not the asbestos dangers exist on its sites.
Source: http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/461380/union_deliver_nbn_asbestos_report/
Asbestos Legislation Hits Parliament. Removal Agency Established
Parliament has drafted new legislation which would effectively establish an asbestos board.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is expected to work with jurisdictions to establish a nationally consistent method of asbestos eradication, handling, and awareness. The agency will also manage environmental and public health issues attributed to asbestos.
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency was a key component found in the Asbestos Management Review 2010.
The introduction of the asbestos agency joins recently harmonised OHS legislation across the country in order to maintain a consistent national approach.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten said Australia’s past widespread use of asbestos has left asbestos ridden material in the built environment. “It’s been almost a decade since asbestos was banned in this country and still, today, the dangers of this silent killer remain,” Mr Shorten said. “Asbestos is the worst industrial menace that will go on killing for decades. “The sad truth is that asbestos-related deaths are not expected to peak until 2020, and that tragically, we are expecting another 30-40,000 people to be diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the next 20 years. “There are children not yet born who will die of asbestos related diseases. “We owe it to future generations to come to grips with the blight of asbestos.”
Shorten stated that the agency is the first bristle in a broad stroke against illegal dumping. He hopes the legislation will encourage safe disposal across Australia.
“The Agency will work in tandem with all levels of government, unions, industry and support groups to implement a plan of action to eliminate asbestos exposure,” Mr Shorten said.“This is the first time that we will have a coordinated approach to eradicating, and handling asbestos beyond our workplaces.”
The new Agency is expected to be operational from 1 July 2013.
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Source: http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn3541.html?utm_source=psn354&utm_medium=email&utm_content=news1&utm_campaign=newsletter_www
Tasmania Councils Criticise Government Asbestos Plan
Tasmania’s councils have criticised the State Government’s plan to remove asbestos from all government buildings by 2030. The councils are reportedly concerned that the plan is not feasible, nor is it cost efficient. They also cited concerns over whether or not the level of expertise was available in the state to complete such a large scale task.
Councils doubt whether the goal is realistic and Local Government Association’s Barry Easther believes the plan has not been properly considered..
“What costs are going to be involved and how everyone’s going to pay for it?” The Launceston City Council’s Robert Dobrzynski says the plan extends to civic infrastructure, including the existing network of asbestos-based water piping. “There would be literally hundreds of kilometres of asbestos pipe.” The Workplace Relations Minister, David O’Byrne, says the Government is still trying to work out the cost of the plan.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-26/councils-fear-asbestos-clean-up-too-costly/4595536?section=tas
Unions Push for Asbestos Awareness Campaign
Since being diagnosed with mesothelioma six years ago, Serafina Salucci has lost a lung and endured several rounds of radiotherapy.
Earlier this week she partnered with Australia’s biggest unions in their efforts to push state and federal governments to finance and implement all recommendations made by Asbestos Management Review Comittee (AMRC).
Salucci believes a national awareness campaign can put a stop to others experiencing the tribulations she has experienced.
“The reason why public awareness and education is so important is the fact that there is no cure for mesothelioma,” she told reporters on Wednesday.
“Once you’ve got it, that’s pretty much it.”
Living with an asbestos-related disease has “been hell“ Salucci said.
“You can’t put it into words what it’s been like and what it’s done to my life and how difficult it’s been.”
The Australian Manufacturer Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) recently launched a campaign to compel the federal government to “address the deadly threat of asbestos that is still present in many older homes, government and commercial buildings”.
The unions released a joint statement saying that Australia has highest per capita rate of asbestos-related disease, two thirds of houses built between the 1940’s and 1983 still contain asbestos.
“It’s time for the Australian government to implement a strategy to effectively tackle the threat of asbestos,” AMWU National Secretary Paul Bastian said.
“That means the recommendations from the Asbestos Management Review Committee need to be implemented and fully funded to eradicate asbestos from our environment by 2030.”
Mr Bastian predicts that asbestos-related deaths will continue to increase for the next seven years.
“This is why we need to establish a dedicated National Asbestos Authority, and a national set of laws.”
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Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/16129409/unions-seek-end-to-asbestos-danger/
Asbestos Safety:Electrical Trades Union Puts Pressure on Ausgrid
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is convinced the number workers sick from asbestos exposure will rise at electricity distribution company Ausgrid. The ETU stated that 49 asbestos-related illnesses have been cited in the last 20 years at Ausgrid. Recently, the same company uncovered asbestos in its underground substations in central Sydney.
Spokesperson for the company, Anthony O’Brien claims that majority of the hazardous material has been removed. “In the Sydney CBD asbestos has been present in some substations for a long time. We have removed the asbestos from 90 per cent of those stations, so more than 30 have had asbestos removed,” he said. The union alleges that work has been suspended on the sites because Ausgrid refuses to pay overtime for night work. Their efforts to make the areas safer have all been conducted after hours to avoid public scrutiny.
The ETU is currently pushing for the industry to design and implement an urgent removal plan The union’s state secretary Steve Butler has threatened work bans if no government action is taken. “I think it goes countrywide. I’ve got no doubt this problem exists in New South Wales, it exists in Victoria, it exists in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.” NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson supports Butler’s position on involving the government.
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Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-06/electrical-union-raises-ausgrid-asbestos-fears/4356096?section=nsw
ALERTFORCE LAUNCHING NEW ASBESTOS REMOVAL TRAINING PROGRAM
NEWS RELEASE
May 29th, 2012
POTTS POINT, NSW– Australia’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training company, AlertForce (AF), launched an online training program that aims to arm participants with the knowledge and capability, to effectively and safely attend to situations involving asbestos removal. New regulations under the Work Health and Safety Act mean that many states will require Asbestos Industry existing participants to have nationally recognised training by 31st December, 2013. New entrants to the industry should be trained now.
For over six years AlertForce has offered quality competency-based, online asbestos awareness training to various professionals including industry leaders and employees. AF’s original Asbestos Awareness training course has now been updated so that it is compliant with the most recent regulations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
In addition to this update, AF has replaced their Asbestos Removal training course with a new, nationally recognised course for Asbestos Removal which will be available on June 1, 2012.
AlertForce’s new Asbestos Removal course, CPCCDE3014A: Remove Non-Friable Asbestos will enable participants to effectively and safely remove non-friable asbestos containing material (ACM). This course will specifically target areas such as; preparation, containment and removal of non-friable ACM, as well as decontamination and disposal needs. In addition to the soon-to-be launched Asbestos Removal training course, there will also be two other units included that target other aspects of asbestos removal. The following additional units are offered:
- CPCCBC4051A Supervise asbestos removal
- CPCCBC5014A Conduct asbestos assessment associated with removal
The Supervise Asbestos Removal (CPCCBC4051A) course will train participants to be competent in supervising the removal process of asbestos or ACM. This course will explore areas such as the planning and supervising of the removal of asbestos or asbestos containing material, preparing the worksite, and using safe and approved removal methods. Conduct Asbestos Assessment associated with Removal (CPCCBC5014A) will ensure that participants are competent and able to perform assessments and use a diverse array of measuring devices for the monitoring of airborne asbestos fibres in the workplace. Participants will also learn how to properly identify hazards and risks, and how to determine that an area is free of asbestos contamination and safe for reoccupation.
“Our newly added Asbestos Removal courses are detailed and extensive while remaining as clear and concise as any other course that we offer at Alertforce. These nationally recognized units are of the utmost importance for any industry leaders or professionals who want to have quality training in the asbestos removal process! says Brendan Torazzi, AlertForce company founder.
Upon successful completion of these units, participants will receive a Statement of Attainment signifying their competence in the respective areas. These Statements are then used as evidence of competency for State OHS Regulators when required. In addition to knowing how to safely remove a harmful and deadly substance, participants will also gain a useful employability skill.
AlertForce (https://alertforce.com.au) specialises in delivering fast, competency-
based, interactive short online courses to mitigate risk and health and safety hazards in
Australian workplace.
Contact: Brendan Torazzi – CEO AlertForce. Ph: 1300 627 246
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Asbestos Training Courses – Asbestos Detection Procedures
Asbestos training courses outline the necessary procedures for safe risk assessment of asbestos containing material (ACM). Asbestos awareness training is an important part of workplace health and safety.
You will find your asbestos training gives relevant instructions in sampling and analysis of ACM. It is important that samples of materials suspected of containing asbestos are taken only by competent persons and are analysed only by accredited laboratories. The sample should be representative of the suspected ACM (e.g. for the walls of multi-storey buildings, at least one sample should be taken on each floor). If there are any variations in the appearance, texture or colour of the material, additional samples should be taken.
The samples should be adequately labelled to enable identification of the address and specific location from which the material was sampled and should include the date of sampling and the batch identification number.
Where necessary, any damage caused by the sampling of a suspected ACM should be repaired without causing further disturbance to the ACM. If there are inaccessible areas that are likely to contain ACM, the person with control should presume that asbestos is present.
Rather than taking samples to determine whether a material contains asbestos, the person with control may simply presume the material contains asbestos. Once such a presumption has been made, the material must be treated as an ACM, with work practices and disposal criteria as required for the presence of asbestos, until the material is removed or testing has confirmed that it does not, in fact, contain asbestos.
The list of common ACM may be used as an aid in determining which materials, if any, may be presumed to contain asbestos. The full list should be found within the asbestos awareness training course.
As indicated earlier, if there are inaccessible areas that are likely to contain ACM the person with control should presume that asbestos is present in these areas. For example, it may be reasonable to presume that wall cavities or ceiling spaces contain ACM such as asbestos insulation.
It may also be more cost effective in other circumstances to apply the presumption instead of sampling and analysing suspected ACM, as would otherwise be required to rule out the presence of asbestos.
The workplace’s register of ACM must state all the presumptions made about materials in the workplace. For example, a generic presumption statement in the register might read, ‘All wall cavities are presumed to contain asbestos’ or ‘All underground conduits are presumed to contain asbestos.’
Online asbestos awareness training is the quickest way to complete your training. Make sure your asbestos training course meets WorkCover and WorkSafe requirements.
The risk management approach to asbestos awareness
Asbestos training among other things, focuses on detailing the risk management approach to asbestos in the workplace. Risk management is a common concept in business practice and ensures that safe systems of work can be established from detailed risk management plans.
What you will learn from your asbestos training is how to identify asbestos in the workplace and adopt an accepted risk management approach. You will also learn about asbestos registers and asbestos management plans. How do you identify asbestos in your workplace?
Asbestos training courses provide employers with the knowledge required to keep their workplace safe. As employers are required by law to manage risks to all persons in and around the workplace, it makes good practice to adopt a risk management approach so that consistency in applying the law will avoid making mistakes in managing those risks. Asbestos awareness training is an important part of this.
The problem is that ACM can release asbestos fibres into the air whenever they are disturbed, and especially during the following activities:
- any direct action on asbestos containing materials (ACM), such as drilling, boring, cutting, filing, brushing, grinding, sanding, breaking, smashing or blowing with compressed air
- the inspection or removal of ACM from workplaces (including vehicles, plant and equipment);
- the maintenance or servicing of materials from vehicles, plant, equipment or workplaces;
- the renovation or demolition of buildings containing ACM.
Non-friable ACM that has been subjected to extensive weathering or deterioration also has a higher potential to release asbestos fibres into the air.
Asbestos training covers risk management procedures: a detailed approach to risk management starts with an on – site assessment and an asbestos register. All premises should have an assessment and a register, even if they are new, because second hand plant and equipment brought into a building may contain asbestos. It is also good practice to have a building assessed and recorded as being asbestos free. This simple statement that establishes a baseline condition. Then any second-hand plant and equipment brought into the building needs a check for asbestos and removed prior to installation if asbestos is found.
Persons with control of premises must ensure all ACM in their workplaces are identified, as far as practicable. More specifically, there is a need to:
- identify the locations of all ACM and determine whether any inaccessible areas are likely to contain ACM; and
- identify the types (e.g. asbestos cement sheet, asbestos lagging on pipes and flues, ACM gaskets in plant or machinery) and condition (i.e. damaged or intact) of ACM.
Asbestos training courses are a very valuable tool for keeping workplaces safe, and are available online.
Asbestos awareness – what must employers do?
Employers must ensure that employees and other persons are informed of the dangers, hazards and risks involved and of any precautions that should be taken. Asbestos training will inform employers of exactly how to do this.
Asbestos training courses provide employers with the knowledge required to keep their employees safe.
Employees must be provided with:
- Asbestos awareness training
- Safe Work Method Statements including emergency procedures.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (available for use if required)
- Facilities to safely wash and remove PPE and clothing before they leave the workplace (if required to handle ACM)
Employees are to be notified in writing if asbestos work is being carried out.
All persons must be warned, by the use of signs, labels or other similar measures, of the presence of asbestos or asbestos-containing material in a place at which work is being carried out around asbestos.
Employers must identify, and implement measures to prevent any disturbance of asbestos-containing material while work is being carried out. For example, if asbestos is encapsulated, or sealed, the employer cannot allow any asbestos fibres to be released into the air – they must seal off the asbestos and areas where it exists.
An employer must ensure that procedures are in place for:
• The cleaning of premises at which asbestos work is carried out;
• The laundering and cleaning of personal protective equipment used for asbestos work;
• The containment of asbestos waste; and
• The disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing material safely according to Environmental Protection Authority standards and guidelines (e.g. disposed of to a legitimate hazardous waste facility).
An employer must ensure that no asbestos-containing material, including asbestos cement, is reused in connection with the carrying out of construction work.
An employer must not allow the use of high-pressure hoses to clean the surface of asbestos-containing material, including asbestos cement or any structures that consist of or contain asbestos, during the carrying out of construction work.
As you can see, asbestos training is a very valuable tool for helping to keep workplaces safe from the hazards of asbestos. If you work in the building industry you may be required to complete your asbestos awareness training. Asbestos training coursescan be completed online.
Asbestos awareness training: the health effects of exposure to asbestos
Where asbestos containing materials (ACM) may be present or suspected in the workplace or home, online asbestos training courses offer a convenient way to educate you on the health and safety risks of asbestos. Asbestos training is a good idea for anyone coming into contact with asbestos. Asbestos becomes a health hazard when fibres become airborne and are inhaled or swallowed. Asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibres into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested. Many of the fibres will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract. Once they are trapped in the body, the fibres can cause health problems.
Health effects depend on length, diameter and composition of fibre. Disease is usually associated with long-term exposure in occupational or para-occupational setting (immediate family or live near asbestos mine or factory) Risk depends on how much and how long. Asbestos training provides comprehensive information on how to avoid or manage these risks.
Because it is so hard to destroy asbestos fibres, the body cannot break them down or remove them once they are lodged in lung or body tissues. They remain in place where they can cause disease.
All forms of asbestos can potentially cause:
Non cancer:
- pleural plaques
- asbestosis
Cancer:
- lung cancer
- malignant mesothelioma
An asbestos awareness training course provides the skills and knowledge necessary to help managers, controllers of work premises, trade persons, employees and others identify asbestos containing materials (ACMs) or suspected ACMs, and to ensure that appropriate action is taken. Asbestos training can easily be completed online.
How Asbestos Training and Asbestos Training Courses help
Asbestos training and asbestos training courses help you understand the history of asbestos in Australia. Asbestos is the name applied to six naturally occurring minerals that are mined from the earth. The different types of asbestos are: (more…)
