If you are the person with management or control of a workplace, it is your responsibility to arrange for an asbestos assessment. It is important that you:
• Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that all asbestos or asbestos-containing material (ACM) at the workplace is identified by a competent person, and;
• Ensure that an asbestos register is prepared and kept at the workplace.
While WHS laws dealing with asbestos are broadly similar around Australia there are some important differences, which makes it necessary to check the laws in your state or territory. It is not possible to tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it, however scientific testing by an approved laboratory can determine whether a building materials contains asbestos.
Workplaces in building built before 1990 are likely to contain some form of asbestos building material, and are required to have an asbestos register which lists all identified or assumed asbestos in the workplace. The register should be looked at before staring any building work, including maintenance and minor alterations, to ensure it remains undisturbed. The register should be updated regularly according to regulations in your state or territory or following significant building alterations.
The register should be kept on site with an asbestos management plan and provided to all staff and trades people prior to building or maintenance works to prevent accidental exposure in the workplace.
What to do when asbestos is identified, does it have to be removed?
The simple answer is no, if the asbestos is in good condition and left undisturbed, it is usually safer to leave it fixed or installed and review its condition over time provided it is unlikely that asbestos fibres will be released into the air and the risk to health is extremely low. The presence and location of identified asbestos must be clearly indicated and if reasonably practicable, the indication is by labelling.
What happens if it does need to be removed? If the asbestos has deteriorated, been disturbed or if asbestos-contaminated dust is present the likelihood that airborne asbestos fibres will be released into the air is increased. If there is a risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres, you must control the risk by, for example removing the asbestos. In circumstances where asbestos is removed, at a minimum you will need to obtain a clearance certificate and you will need to update your asbestos register. Where friable materials are present, negative-pressure work area containments and air monitoring will also be required.
Where demolition or refurbishment work is planned for the property, a more detailed assessment is required to gain destructive access to areas that were previously inaccessible. This is required prior to the commencement of any demolition or refurbishment building works on site.
If you are concerned that a material or building product within your property contains asbestos, you can have it analysed in Identifibre’s NATA accredited laboratory. We are able to offer same day analysis results for most material types.
Identifibre is here to help
Identifibre is a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory with over 28 years of experience in the asbestos industry and is well placed to provide you with services to help you understand and meet your regulatory requirements of both the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (VIC) 2017 and the Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations 2011. Identifibre offers all hygiene services required for asbestos management and removal works including:
• Site asbestos and hazardous materials surveys and risk assessments for occupying and managing workplaces (Division 5 assessments)
• Site asbestos and hazardous materials surveys and risk assessments for demolition and refurbishment of workplaces (Division 6 assessments)
• Site asbestos registers
• NATA accredited analysis of samples for the identification of asbestos, including same day analysis of samples
• NATA accredited airborne asbestos monitoring and analysis • Visual inspections and clearance certification following the removal of asbestos materials
• Asbestos material labelling
• Detailed asbestos management plans
• Asbestos awareness training
• Lead testing
• Mould testing and remediation advice
• Methamphetamine screening, remedial action plans and post remediation clearance testing
Contact us today!
(03) 9563 2957
67 Atherton Road, Oakleigh
