Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos related-disease in the world and it is still present in one in three Australian homes, as well as in public and commercial buildings.
Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos related-disease in the world and it is still present in one in three Australian homes, as well as in public and commercial buildings.
Work health and safety laws prohibit work involving asbestos, apart from specific circumstances where strict safety rules must be followed. If you are not sure whether material contains asbestos, don’t touch it. And don't work with asbestos if you are not trained to do so or do not have the right tools and protective equipment. To stay safe at a job, follow these steps:
1. Check up. If the building is a workplace, check the asbestos register. If it is a home that was built before 1990, itis likely to contain asbestos. Know what you need to do to be safe and if necessary, call a licensed asbestos professional.
Gear up. Before starting work, plan ahead and protect yourself with the right equipment. Always use work practices that will prevent or minimise the release of asbestos fibres into the air.
Clean up. Leave the site clean and dispose of asbestos waste at a licensed facility. Fines apply for not doing the right thing.
Further information on how to prevent asbestos exposure is available at: www.asbestossafety.gov.au.