Asbestos

Legal requirements (under Victorian OHS Regulations – Asbestos) mean employers and those who manage and control workplaces must effectively identify any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) that are located at the workplace and once identified must have an Asbestos Register available for all workers including contractors.

Our Experience Assures a Safe Environment

At Premier Safety & Environmental, we have many years of experience across all industries. This allows us to assist business to achieve compliance by:

• Identifying Asbestos containing materials in the workplace
• Develop an Asbestos Register (as required under the regulation)
• Develop an Asbestos Management Plan

What is Asbestos

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals found in rock formations. Three types of asbestos were mined in Australia: white, blue and brown asbestos.

In Australia, asbestos cement materials were first manufactured in the 1920's and were commonly used in the manufacture of residential building materials from the mid-1940's until the late 1980's. During the 1980's, asbestos cement materials were phased out in favour of asbestos-free products.

Australia banned the use or import of blue and brown asbestos or asbestos products in the mid-1980s, and banned all manufacture or import of white asbestos products in December 2003. From 31 December 2003, the total ban on manufacture, use, reuse, import, transport, storage or sale of all forms of asbestos came into force.

Asbestos and Health

Asbestos becomes a potential risk to health if fibres are suspended in air and breathed into the lungs. Breathing asbestos fibres into the lungs can cause a range of diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Finding and Identifying Asbestos

Asbestos-containing materials were commonly used in buildings up until the mid-1980's, and has been found in buildings constructed up to the mid 1990's.

If you are thinking about undertaking any repairs, renovation or demolition work in a building constructed prior to the mid-1990's, have samples of suspect material tested at an asbestos laboratory approved by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). Only a competent person should collect any sample for laboratory analysis and Premier Safety & Environmental are well qualified to undertake sampling for this purpose.

Managing Asbestos

Asbestos has the potential to be a lethal product. Premier Safety & Environmental has the skill, experience and knowledge to provide a comprehensive solution to your existing or potential concerns with asbestos.

Asbestos is dangerous. The correct identification of asbestos and management of asbestos in structures well outside the domain of the DIY home handyman.

The Law in Victoria

Legal requirements (under Victorian OHS Regulations – Asbestos) mean employers and those who manage and control workplaces must effectively identify any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM’s) that are located at the workplace.

Premier Safety & Environmental are experienced consultants that can provide a comprehensive asbestos management plan for your workplace and building site.

Once identified you must have an Asbestos Register available for all workers including contractors. Premier Safety & Environmental can produce all required asbestos documentation.