Asbestos is a versatile product. Due to its ability to withstand heat, erosion and decay, and for its fire and water resistant properties, asbestos was widely used in building materials for residential premises until it started to be phased out in the 1980s. Despite the use of all forms of asbestos being banned nationally since 31 December 2003, building materials containing asbestos are still prevalent in our community today. The most commonly found building materials that contain asbestos are asbestos cement products.
Bonded asbestos is in a form where asbestos fibres are held within another material (for example cement) but does not include friable asbestos. When dry, bonded asbestos materials cannot be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
Friable Asbestos is asbestos (whether or not contained in other material) that (a) is crumbly, dusty or powdery; or (b) when dry, can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Examples of friable asbestos include, sprayed asbestos coating or insulation, asbestos lagging, loose asbestos and asbestos in its raw form.
Please note: these are just examples of bonded and friable asbestos and is not an exhaustive list.
There are some areas of a building where materials containing asbestos were more commonly used. The most accurate way to detect whether or not asbestos is present is to have a licensed asbestos assessor inspect and test the product or material where necessary. Attempting to sample the material or product yourself can be more hazardous than leaving it alone. If you're not sure whether a product or material contains asbestos, it's safest to treat it as though it does and take the necessary precautions.
Therefore, while your house or a non-residential building may have been constructed using many different materials containing asbestos, provided the materials are not disturbed and are in good condition, they should not create concern. In fact, in some situations it may be safer to maintain these materials rather than attempt to remove them.
This occurs once a material containing asbestos is broken, starts to deteriorate, or is disturbed in such a way that dust particles containing asbestos are produced and the potential for exposure to asbestos fibres is increased. Therefore, DIY renovators and tradespeople are the ones most at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres as they are more likely to frequently undertake repairs, renovations and other work which can generate the release of asbestos fibres into the air.
Repairs and renovations that involve removing, breaking, cleaning, cutting, drilling, filing, grinding, sanding or smashing materials that contain asbestos can potentially release very fine and dangerous asbestos fibres into the air where they can be easily inhaled. The use of high pressure water blasters to clean materials containing asbestos prior to painting can also release asbestos fibres.
In the ACT, in order for someone to provide an asbestos assessment service (e.g. identify and assess asbestos and provide recommendations on its safe management) they must hold a current asbestos assessor licence. Asbestos assessors have several responsibilities. These responsibilities include: indentifying the presence of any asbestos products; assessment of the potential risks; and providing recommendations for the safe management of the identified asbestos. Asbestos assessors need to perform all tasks in accordance with their licence type and in a professional manner. There are two classes of asbestos assessor license (A class and B class) which, depending on the licence class, restrict the type of work that can be done.
licensees can provide a full asbestos assessment service to undertake and supervise air monitoring; undertake field surveys to identify the location, type and condition of asbestos in buildings; assess the risk the identified asbestos presents and advise on how it should be managed; and report on the work carried out.
licensees can only undertake field surveys to identify the location, type and condition of asbestos in buildings. They cannot provide a report or advice to others on how to handle the asbestos.
Asbestos is a hazardous material and can be a risk to health if it is not handled appropriately. More information about who is qualified to work with asbestos.
Removing, breaking, cleaning, cutting, drilling, filing, grinding, sanding or smashing materials that contain asbestos can potentially release very fine and dangerous asbestos fibres into the air where they can be easily inhaled. People who are not licensed asbestos removalists and should not engage in removing asbestos as an occupation or be engaged as asbestos removalists. More information about asbestos removalists.
There are two classes of asbestos removalist licence (A class and B class) which, depending on the license class, restrict the type of work that can be done.
A Class asbestos removalist licensees can:
B Class asbestos removalist licensees can:
Note: Friable asbestos can only be removed by someone who has an A class asbestos removal license.
Asbestos is a hazardous material and there are strict guidelines about how it should be packaged, transported and where it can be disposed of. Asbestos waste should not be dumped, or disposed of in domestic bins or normal skips. Failure to handle and dispose of asbestos in an appropriate and responsible manner could mean that you are subject to prosecution under the Dangerous Substances Act 2004.
A national ban on the re-use of asbestos products came into effect on 31 December 2003. You should also not reuse any materials or disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g. coveralls and respirators) that have been used to carry out work with asbestos. Asbestos waste must be double wrapped in heavy duty (200 microns thick) plastic (polythene) bags (available at most hardware shops), appropriately labelled and disposed of at an appropriate waste facility.
Click here for information on how to safely work with asbestos.
Click here for information on how to safely remove asbestos.
Click here for information on how to safely dispose of asbestos.
