Free asbestos management resource launched for commercial properties

The national Asbestos Awareness Campaign has released a new handbook to help commercial property developers and managers understand the dangers of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM), and ways to handle them safely and effectively.

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Designed for a broad audience including property owners, agents, contractors and builders, the guidebook was developed in consultation with stakeholders from the building, property management and government sectors to improve compliance in the commercial and non-residential property sector.

It details the roles and responsibilities for the management of asbestos and ACM, provides examples of best practice and a comprehensive list and images to demonstrate ACM commonly found in commercial properties.

More importantly, the handbook provides guidance on the steps required to adhere to regulations including how to develop and manage an Asbestos Management Plan, an Asbestos Register and training requirements for workers.

The handbook also defines Asbestos Inspections, Surveys, Risk Assessments and the steps required when asbestos removal is in progress.

“While there are strict requirements for the management, control and removal of asbestos or ACM, one of the dominant challenges affecting compliance has been the absence of user-friendly resources for people unfamiliar with technical information, with some finding the regulations rather extensive and complex to follow and implement,” said Prensa Occupational Hygiene and Hazardous Materials Management specialist, John Batty.

“We know that the greater the exposure to asbestos fibres, the greater the risk of developing life-threatening asbestos-related diseases.

“The new Handbook featuring step-by-step procedures complimented by Fact Sheets and Templates is a long-awaited vital resource that will help improve compliance in the sector resulting in improved safe work management procedures and the prevention of avoidable exposure to asbestos fibres by workers and bystanders.”

Although asbestos was banned in commercial properties in the 1980s, ACMs were still used in multiple locations prior to 31 December 2003.

If undisturbed and in stable condition, asbestos and ACM are unlikely to pose health risks. However, risks occur when ACM is disturbed during maintenance, refurbishment or demolition when microscopic fibres are released and can be inhaled.

According to the national Asbestos Awareness Campaign, 13 Australians die every week from asbestos-related diseases, 12 from malignant mesothelioma, and another 13 diagnosed with this incurable cancer. Preventing exposure to asbestos fibres is the most effective means of preventing related diseases.

“Over the years we’ve seen a number of incidences where the containment, control and removal of ACMs in commercial properties have been mismanaged with the health of workers and bystanders unnecessarily put at risk,” Batty said.

“In commercial and non-residential properties where asbestos has been identified by a competent person - such as an occupational hygienist or a licenced asbestos assessor- areas must be itemised in an Asbestos Register and should be removed by licensed asbestos removalists or encapsulated and labelled prior to conducting work.

“While property owners and managers are duty bound to develop an Asbestos Register that itemises all known or suspected ACMs, one of the challenges has been a lack of understanding of regulatory requirements, safe work procedures and the inability to identify the many and various types of asbestos and ACM and its potential locations.

“The free Handbook and resource package will be a welcome source providing essential information to assist this sector ensuring ACMs or suspected ACMs are itemised in an Asbestos Register and managed according to regulations.”

Other information provided in the handbook include procedures for Unexpected Asbestos Finds or Incidents and the step-by-step application of Personal Protective and Respiratory Equipment.

Users can download templates to use for developing Asbestos Registers, Management Plans, Removal Records and Workers Training Records from the Asbestos Awareness website.