Asbestos is a hazardous material that poses a risk to health by inhalation if the fibres become airborne and people are exposed to these fibres.
Exposure to asbestos fibres is known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaque and lung cancer.
Asbestos containing materials (ACM) were extensively used in Australian buildings, plant and equipment, ships, trains and motor vehicles from the 1950’s till the 1970’s, and some uses, such as friction materials and gaskets were only discontinued on 31December 2003.
Despite regulation of asbestos containing materials, they are still common in commercial buildings and structures.
Some examples of ACM that may be in your workplace:
- Asbestos cement sheet used for external roofs and walls
- Asbestos cement render, plaster, mortar and coursework
- Asbestos cement sheet internal over exhaust canopies such as ovens, fume cupboards etc.
- Asbestos cement sheet used for internal walls and ceilings
- Asbestos cement sheet underlays for vinyl
- Asbestos cement storm drain pipes
- Asbestos containing pegboard
- Bituminous adhesives and sealants
- Boiler gaskets
- Boiler insulation
- Brake Disc pads & lining
- Clutch faces
- Door seals on ovens
- Electric hot water systems
- Electrical switchboards
- Exhausts on vehicles
- Fire blankets, curtains, doors
- Floor vinyl sheets & tiles
- Fuse blankets and ceramic fuses in switchboards
- Galbestos coating for metals
- Gaskets
- Gloves – asbestos
- Header (manifold) insulation
- Laboratory bench tops, fume cupboards, ovens.
- Lagging on exhaust pipes
- Limpet asbestos spray insulation
- Millboard
- Paint, typically industrial epoxy paints
- Plaster and plaster cornice adhesives
- Sealants or mastik
- Sprayed insulation, acoustic wall and ceiling, beams and ceiling slabs
Under the Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018(2005)]Persons with control of premises have a duty of care to:
• develop, implement and maintain an asbestos management plan
• investigate the premises for the presence or possible presence of ACM
• develop and maintain a register of the identified or presumed ACM, including details on their locations, accessibility, condition, risk assessments and control measures
• assess the condition of any ACM that are found and the associated asbestos risks
• develop measures to remove the ACM or otherwise to minimise the risks and prevent exposure to asbestos
• ensure the control measures are implemented as soon as possible and are maintained as long as the ACM remain in the workplace
Environmental Site Services conduct asbestos audits to meet legislation for the management and control of asbestos in the workplace.