UNOFFICIAL OHS DATABASE
ASBESTOS
REMOVAL INFORMATION
· Asbestos removal contractors can be found via the Yellow Pages under
"Asbestos Removal &/or Treatment" or simply type "Asbestos Removal" in
www.yellowpages.com.au and then select the area you require. Also you can
try the Master Builders Association.
· The licence number of a licensed asbestos removalist should be a six
digit number starting with "2" and ending with wither "AS" . If unsure you can
call WorkCover NSW on 13 10 50.
· If you wish to get an asbestos removal license see "Asbestos, Guidelines for licensed asbestos removal contractors" (NSW WorkCover website)
BONDED ASBESTOS
· For bonded asbestos (fibro / cladding) - refer to
clause 259 of the OHS Regulation 2001:
· See Your
Guide to Working with Asbestos (detailed information) and
Living With Fibro (simplified information)
FRIABLE ASBESTOS
· Friable asbestos (loose / dust) must be removed by a licensed asbestos
removal contractor.
Ref: clause
260 of the OHS Regulation 2001. Friable asbestos is defined as "any
material that contains asbestos and is in the form of a powder or can be crumbled,
pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry".
· If friable asbestos is present, the area must be isolated. Note: if the loose asbestos is present due to an accident, under some circumstances this may be a non-disturbance incident (for 36 hours), Ref: clause 344 of the OHS Regulation.
Publications referred to in the OHS Regulation 2001:
(a) Guide
to the Control of Asbestos Hazards in Buildings and Structures [NOHSC: 3002
(1988)]
(b) Code
of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos [NOHSC: 2002 (1988)]
ASBESTOS HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
Health surveillance for employees working with asbestos should be performed under the supervision of an authorised medical practitioner, as per clauses 165 and 166 of the OHS Regulation 2001.
Below is an extract from the above-mentioned clauses:
165 Employer to provide health surveillance
(1) An employer must provide health surveillance for each employee who is exposed to a hazardous substance if there is a risk to the health of the employee as a result of that exposure, and:
(a) the hazardous substance is referred to in Column 1 of the Table to this clause, or
(b) the exposure to any other hazardous substance is such that:
(i) an identifiable disease or other effect on health may be related to the exposure, and
(ii) there is a reasonable likelihood that the disease or other effect on health may occur under the particular conditions of work, and
(iii) there is available an effective technique for detecting indications of the disease or other effect on health.
(2) An employer must provide biological monitoring for an employee if there is a reasonable likelihood that the employee could be exposed to levels of a hazardous substance that could be a risk to health and an effective procedure for the biological monitoring of those levels is available.
(3) The employer must ensure that:
(a) the health surveillance is performed under the supervision of an authorised medical practitioner, and
(b) if there is a significant risk to the health of an employee from a
hazardous substance referred to in the Table to this clause, the
health surveillance includes the carrying out of the procedures
specified in Column 2 of the Table in relation to that substance.
(4) The selection of the authorised medical practitioner to supervise the surveillance must be undertaken by the employer after consultation with the relevant employees.
(5) The health surveillance must be undertaken at the expense of the employer.
(extract from the Table of clause 165)
Substance: Asbestos
Type of Health Surveillance:
· Occupational and demographic data
· Medical interview
· Records of personal exposure
166 Medical practitioner to notify results of health surveillance
(1) As soon as practicable after an employee undergoes health surveillance in accordance with this Part, the medical practitioner must ensure that:
(a) the employee is notified of the results of the surveillance, and given any necessary explanation of those results, and
(b) the employer is notified of the general outcome of the surveillance, and advised on any necessary preventive or remedial action, and
(c) WorkCover is notified of any adverse result detected in the
surveillance that is consistent with exposure to a hazardous
substance referred to in the Table to clause 165.
Contact details of authorised medical practitioners can be supplied by the Occupational Medicine Unit of WorkCover NSW (Ph: 13 10 50).
Extra reference: The Asbestos Informer (EPA NSW)
WHERE TO HAVE A SUBSTANCE TESTED TO SEE IF IT IS ASBESTOS
NATA - National Authority of Testing Authorities, Australia
NSW WorkCover Laboratory Services
WHERE TO GO TO IF YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS
· Your doctor (if not exposed to asbestos at work)
· The Dust Diseases
Board - (if exposed to asbestos at work)
OTHER ASBESTOS LINKS
Asbestos resources (also see its Australian section)
Related pages on this site