Asbestos

20 years since the prohibition of asbestos

2023 marks 20 years since asbestos was prohibited in Australia, but, as we know, the effects of asbestos are often felt most in the years and even decades following being exposed to its fibers.

A residential property with labels displaying the various places asbestos may be found.

Find and identify asbestos tool

This interactive tool will guide you through the process of finding and identifying asbestos in your home or workplace. The tool will guide you through locations where asbestos could be found, and provides practical guidance on how to manage or remove it.

Explore the tool

General requirements for all asbestos removal

Review your OHS procedures and ensure you're meeting your obligations. Print or download this checklist to make sure you're inspection ready.

Download checklist

Asbestos lurks in more places than you might think

Asbestos is still found in more than 3000 building products.

Case study and awareness

Case Study - Brian Healy - Mesothelioma sufferer

Educational video - Brian Chamberlin (Industry Educational Officer - WorkSafe)

Asbestos can be exposed during demolition.

Asbestos case study

In May 2018 WorkSafe received a report of suspected asbestos being removed from a residential property. WorkSafe Inspectors attended the property and observed two workers undertaking demolition work using hand tools. The workers were not wearing any personal protective equipment (PPE). An independent hygienist confirmed the building contained asbestos.

Read the full case study

Occupational disease

These are the most common health hazards for people in Victorian workplaces, excluding musculoskeletal disorders and stress.

Hazards

Hazard 1
Asbestos (asbestos removal demolition refurbishment)
Refer to the OHS regulations and Asbestos Compliance Codes.

Identify all asbestos that is fixed or installed in a building, structure, ship or plant. If there is any uncertainty about the presence of asbestos, assume that it is asbestos or arrange for a sample of the suspected material to be analysed for confirmation.

Clearly indicate location of asbestos (labelling).

Keep an asbestos register and ensure it is accessible.

Ensure asbestos removal is done by a licensed removalist.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons lung.
Hazard 2
Chemical hazards (decanting mixing spray painting processing degreasing cleaning maintenance)
Treat all chemicals as potentially dangerous to health, unless material safety data sheet (MSDS) or label states otherwise.

Obtain material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals at your workplace, and ensure employees have access to them.

Eliminate the substance from use (eg use steam cleaning rather than washing with a solvent).

If you can't eliminate, use a less harmful product or process or a less hazardous form of the substance (eg pellets instead of powders, water-based paint instead of oil-based paint).

Design work and the workplace to isolate the process or substance from employees to prevent contact (eg enclose process).

Install ventilation and extraction to reduce exposure (eg use a spray booth).

Train employees on safe work practices that reduce exposure (eg re-seal containers, clean up spills and restrict unnecessary access).

Provide personal protective clothing and equipment (eg respirators) for employees.

Ensure all controls are maintained. You may have to do air monitoring to determine employee exposure levels and undertake health surveillance (refer to the relevant MSDS for further information). If you are not sure if there is a problem, get some assistance.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons central nervous system.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons lung.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons skin.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons blood.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons prostate.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons bladder.
Hazard 3
Harmful dusts and fumes (welding abrasive blasting stonemasonry wood working)
For welding fumes, use local exhaust ventilation or respiratory protective equipment.

For wood dust, use local exhaust ventilation and dust bags on tools.

For crystalline silica, use wet processes or local exhaust ventilation.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons lung.
Hazard 4
Noise
Ensure employees are not exposed to noise that exceeds the exposure standard.

Arrange for a noise assessment if employees are exposed to excessive noise (eg workers have to raise their voices to communicate over a distance of one metre) and there is uncertainty as to whether employees exposure may have exceeded the noise exposure standard.

Eliminate or minimise the source of noise. Use noise insulated equipment (eg silence compressors), enclose or isolate noisy machinery, reduce vibration, use barriers to absorb and screens to block the direct path of sound, use silencers on air exhausts, exhaust pneumatics out of the area, buy the quietest tools/machinery available.

Place warning signs in areas of excessive and continual noise (eg where employees exposure is likely to exceed the exposure standard).

Warn other workers nearby that you will be undertaking noisy work and advise them to move away or wear hearing protection.

Provide hearing equipment, ensure it is worn at all times, and provide employees with audiometric testing. Employers should provide a choice of different types of hearing protection appropriate to the noise level in the workplace.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons ear.
Hazard 5
Sun exposure (construction farming / horticulture parks maintenance)
Organise work to manage exposure (eg avoid outdoor work in the UV peak of the day - 11.00am to 3.00pm - particularly October to March).

Use natural (eg trees) or artificial shade.

Encourage employees to wear appropriate clothing, hats and sunglasses.

Provide sunscreen.

1 per cent of the injuries were to a persons skin.

Asbestos in Victoria

The Asbestos in Victoria website contains guidance from WorkSafe, EPA and DHHS to help homeowners, tenants, employers and employees understand the risks of asbestos, and an interactive tool to guide you through the process of finding and identifying asbestos in your home or workplace.

Visit the asbestos website

20 years since the prohibition of asbestos

Find and identify asbestos tool

General requirements for all asbestos removal

Asbestos lurks in more places than you might think

Case study and awareness

Asbestos case study

Occupational disease

Hazards

Asbestos (asbestos removal demolition refurbishment)

Chemical hazards (decanting mixing spray painting processing degreasing cleaning maintenance)

Harmful dusts and fumes (welding abrasive blasting stonemasonry wood working)

Noise

Sun exposure (construction farming / horticulture parks maintenance)

Asbestos in Victoria

News and alerts

Stay alert to the dangers of asbestos

Teams shine safety spotlight on border construction sites

Asbestos still a risk to workers 20 years on from ban

Information

Services

About WorkSafe

Contact