Asbestos found in brake pads

Background

Asbestos has been found in brake pads at wind farms. The brake pads were found in various applications within wind turbines, including lift motors and hoists. The brake pads were imported into Victoria from overseas.

Safety issues

Asbestos is banned in Australia. Asbestos, or products that contain asbestos, must not be: 

• manufactured
• supplied
• sold
• installed
• used, or
• reused. 

The asbestos ban came into force in Australia at the end of 2003. Some overseas countries still manufacture products or materials which contain asbestos, these may be sold as ‘asbestos-free’ but still contain a low-level of asbestos. Any level of asbestos is prohibited for import or use in Australia.

When disturbed, asbestos-containing materials can release airborne asbestos fibres. If inhaled, airborne asbestos fibres can cause serious medical conditions, including:

• mesothelioma
• asbestosis
• lung cancer.

These medical conditions are life threatening and affect a person’s quality of life.

Recommended ways to control the risk

Do not import goods that contain, or are suspected of containing, asbestos

If you import goods from countries which still manufacture asbestos-containing material: 

• Check the product specifications and related documentation before importing. For example, safety data sheets and technical data sheets.
• Include asbestos-free requirements in supply contracts.
• Require certification from the manufacturer or supplier that the goods are asbestos-free, with certification reflecting this. Get product testing results from the overseas manufacturer or supplier. These results should confirm the goods do not contain asbestos.
• Develop a testing program to independently test goods:
  • prior to shipping
  • before installation or use.
• Inspect the goods on delivery.

If you are uncertain about the presence of asbestos, you must either:

• assume asbestos is present, or
• have a sample analysed by an approved asbestos laboratory.

All asbestos testing needs to be undertaken: 

• by an approved asbestos laboratory, and
• in accordance with Australian Standards for the identification of asbestos.

An approved asbestos laboratory means a laboratory approved by NATA to perform asbestos fibre counting or to identify asbestos in samples.

Do not use or install any goods or materials suspected of containing asbestos

Goods or materials suspected of containing asbestos must not be installed or used until testing is undertaken to confirm it is asbestos free. 

Legal duties

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, a person must not:

• manufacture asbestos-containing material
• supply asbestos to any person
• store asbestos
• transport asbestos
• sell asbestos
• use asbestos
• fix or install asbestos-containing material in any:
  • building
  • structure
  • ship
  • plant
  • aircraft, or
  • vehicle.
• replace any part of a building, structure, ship, aircraft, plant or vehicle with asbestos-containing material
• re-use any asbestos.

Under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985, a person with management and control of a property must:

• notify WorkSafe as soon as is practicable after becoming aware that the property contains asbestos installed on or after 1 January 2004
• enter into an agreement with WorkSafe within 60 days of giving the notification or being informed that a property contains asbestos (or a later timeframe determined by WorkSafe) to either:
  • remove the asbestos in accordance with a removal plan approved by WorkSafe, or
  • manage the risks associated with retaining the asbestos through a management plan approved by WorkSafe.

You can notify WorkSafe by contacting our Advisory service.