Asbestos

AsbestosAsbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined.  Once extracted, the raw mineral is then mixed with a binder and shaped for its specific use. 

Asbestos was widely used across Australia and NSW in the construction industry throughout the twentieth century.

Asbestos based product features include:-

  • Light weight;
  • Tensile in strength;
  • Stability at high temperature;
  • Resistance to chemicals and corrosion;
  • Insulation properties.

Used widely across the construction industry within Australia from World War II through to 1988, Asbestos products are commonplace in many residential, commercial and industrial settings today.  The risks associated with exposure to friable asbestos have become increasingly apparent during the last decade.  While Asbestos can pose a health hazard when not handled correctly, there are many simple precautions and procedures for dealing with asbestos to minimise risk.

Workcover

WorkCover NSW requires that certain asbestos removal work be licensed under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001. Occupational health and safety regulations place obligations on licence holders to ensure that asbestos work is performed in a manner that reduces the risk to the health of both asbestos workers and the public.

A licence is required to remove:-

  • more than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos
  • friable asbestos

The WorkCover NSW website provides further information on the licencing requirements.

When pollution of land is suspected by the dumping of asbestos waste on private or public land, the Council can investigate any offences under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.

Workcover NSW is responsbile under the OH&S Regulations on building sites where paid workers are undertaking the works.

Links to relevant government websites which provide up to date information dealing with asbestos:

Workcover has produced a fact sheet of Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to asbestos.