What is asbestos? Asbestos is any of several minerals that readily separate into long, flexible fibres. Chrysotile is the most common type and accounts for about 95 percent of all asbestos in commercial use. Asbestos was mined in Australia from the 1940s to late 1980s and used in a variety of materials and products.The fibre was formerly widely used inbrake linings, gaskets, and insulation; and inroofing shingles, floor and ceiling tiles, cement pipes, and otherbuilding materials.
Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause health risks such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Majority of people who have contracted these diseases have a long history of exposure to asbestos and spanning over a long period of time.
Safe asbestos removal practices:
* You must not cut, grind or break asbestos sheeting
* Appropriate protective equipment needs to be used, eg Australian Standards Protection Level 2 (P2) minimum half face disposable mask, disposable coveralls, protective gloves, goggles, steel cap boots
* Asbestos sheets needs to be removed with minimal breakage and must be kept wet to limit the release of fibres
* Asbestos needs to be doubled wrapped in builders plastic 200um thick
* Asbestos needs to be disposed of at a licensed disposal landfill or transfer station, WSN Environmental Solutions have several sites that accept asbestos
* Asbestos removal should not take place on windy days
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (SYDNEY & NSW)
2001 (Regulation) outlines the following specific requirements for asbestos removal:
Chapter 4, clauses 43 and 44 - Risk assessment, control and asbestos register
-the controller of premises must identify any foreseeable hazards and control them. An asbestos register and exposure standards must be kept.
Chapter 6, clauses 169 and 170 – Carcinogenic substances (health surveillance records)
-for employers the use of asbestos in the form of chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, fibrous anthophyllite, tremolite or actinolite are prohibited except for the purpose of sampling or analysis, maintenance, removal, disposal, encapsulation or enclosure and any potential exposure must be recorded and advice given to the employee.
Chapter 8 – Asbestos in construction
-specific conditions for asbestos removal work on construction sites and prohibition on the reuse of asbestos products or water blasting asbestos products.
Chapter 10 – Licence requirements
-the requirements for licensing for bonded and friable asbestos removals; from 1 January 2008, a licence is required for the removal of more than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos material.
Chapter 11 – Permit applications
-permits for friable asbestos removal work.
Chapter 12 – Notification of Removal work
-notification of bonded asbestos removal work; exemption requirements for naturally occurring asbestos.
The regulation does not allow the use, reuse or sale of any asbestos product.
For more information regarding asbestos removals see the WorkCover NSW site:
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au
TO OBTAIN UNBIASED INFORMATION ABOUT ASBESTOS THERE ARE SEVERAL NSW GOVERNMENT RUN SITES WHICH PROVIDE EVERYTHING YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW.
Asbestos Symptoms Asbestos advice, mesothelioma compensation and claims from UK specialist We Solicitors.
http://www.asbestosvictimadvice.com
Fibro and Asbestos - A Renovator and Homeowner's Guide to Asbestos Removal Browse the First Steps Checklist which contains a safety checklist, guidance on safe disposal of fibro and some general tips about what to do if fibro is damaged. The guide is also available in pdf format -Fibro & Asbestos - A Renovator and Homeowner's Guide
http://www.more.nsw.gov.au/fibro
Workcover NSW - Asbestos Removal Sydney & NSW
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/healthsafety/healthsafetytopics/Asbestos/
The asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia Inc. is a not-for profit organisation working to provide support to people living with asbestos related diseases, family members, carers and friends.
http://www.adfa.org.au
Safe Work Australia Safe Work Australia is an Australian Government statutory agency established in 2009, with the primary responsibility of improving work health and safety and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia.
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Dust Diseases Board of Australia This website has been developed to help you and your family better understand the role of the Dust Diseases Board and the compensation process. This website explains the steps you will need to take to find out whether you have contracted a dust disease as a result of your employment as a deemed worker in New South Wales and whether you are entitled to compensation.
http://www.ddb.nsw.gov.au
Asbestos in Australia This resource is provided to help Australian businesses and organisations understand the issues surrounding asbestos.
http://www.asbestosaustralia.com.au