Spotlight on asbestos in the built environment

Asbestos was used extensively in the built environment between the mid-1900s to the 1980s. The use of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in building products was phased out in Australia by the late 1980s. It was, however, still used in equipment and vehicles until all forms of asbestos were banned in December 2003. Even after this ban, importers of materials and plant have been found inadvertently importing ACM.

Building products containing asbestos are now at least 30 years old. Employers and people in control of workplaces have a duty to ensure asbestos is managed to prevent people being exposed to asbestos-related hazards.

Managing the risks of ACM in workplaces

An asbestos register identifying the location and condition of ACM at the workplace should be prepared. In addition, the register needs to include risk assessment and control measures.

The asbestos register should be available to everyone in the workplace, kept up-to-date and used in planning any maintenance or other works that may disturb ACM. It should be reviewed regularly, to include new information, changes in ACM condition, and to note any removal work.

Identify

Asbestos should be identified by a competent person, who has the training and experience in asbestos surveying to be able to determine likely locations of ACM in the workplace environment.

An asbestos survey may include testing of suspect materials, or may presume materials are ACM based on their age and appearance. Any materials presumed to be ACM must be handled as if they were ACM.

Warning labels and signs should be used to warn people of the presence of ACM.

Prior to major works such as renovation or demolition, further identification processes may be required as not all parts of the workplace may have been accessible during preparation of the asbestos register, such as wall cavities.

Assess

The risk assessment is initially conducted during the establishment of the asbestos register. However, it should be reviewed on a regular basis as the condition of ACM may change due to weathering, abrasion from vegetation, or other damage.

The risk assessment should consider the form (friable or non-friable) and condition of the ACM, and the potential for exposure during routine and maintenance tasks.

Control

Risks should be controlled effectively considering the hierarchy of controls, with elimination of the ACM being the first choice. Other control measures include painting or coating.

With the continuous ageing of ACM building products, removal should be considered where practical, particularly for materials subject to ongoing weathering (e.g. roofs, fences, or materials located in harsh environments). Use a competent person, such as a licensed asbestos removalist, and follow safe methods for asbestos removal.

Safe work procedures are also required for ongoing maintenance tasks such as cleaning gutters on a building with an ACM roof and minor repairs – refer to Safe Work Australia’s code of practice on how to manage and control asbestos in the workplace.

Awareness training for workers

Information and training must be provided to workers who may come into contact with ACM at the workplace, or who have a role in arranging maintenance or other works that could disturb ACM. This includes access to and training on how to use the asbestos register. Workers should also be informed of the location of ACM in the workplace, and the health risks of asbestos exposure.

Workers required to handle ACM should receive specific training to ensure safe work procedures are used.

Health surveillance

Health surveillance, supervised by an appointed medical practitioner, is required where there is a risk to health from asbestos exposure.

What is friable and non-friable asbestos

Friable asbestos products can, when dry, be crumbled into fine material or dust by hand pressure. These products usually contain high levels of asbestos, which is loosely held in the product so that the asbestos fibres are easily released into the air. Examples include pipe lagging, boiler insulation, fire retardant on steel work and sprayed insulation.

Bonded (or non-friable) asbestos products are made from a bonding compound (such as sand aggregate and cement) reinforced with asbestos fibres. Bonded asbestos products are solid and rigid and cannot be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Common names for bonded asbestos products are 'fibro', 'asbestos cement' and 'AC sheeting'.

When bonded asbestos products are damaged (e.g. physical or water damage, including hail damage) or badly weathered, areas may become friable.

Beware of inadvertently importing AGM

Asbestos has recently been found in the friction plates of rail carriages imported from China between 2007 and 2014. They were thought to be asbestos-free and have not needed replacing since the carriages were acquired. Testing by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory in Australia has found that the wear plates contain chrysotile (white) asbestos. Asbestos has also recently been found in a range of imported building products across Australia, including fibre cement boards, expanded polystyrene panels and gaskets in various forms of plant.

Importers from countries that still manufacture asbestos-containing goods should be aware of the different definitions and standards applied to asbestos in the country of origin.

DMIRS expects importers of plant and machinery to have rigorous systems in place to ensure the products and items they import do not contain asbestos. They should not simply depend on the information provided by manufacturers, but conduct their own testing.