Asbestos Awareness Whilst Renovating
Approximately one third of all homes in Australia contain asbestos products. If your house was built before 1990, it is likely that it would have some asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos only poses a risk to health when asbestos fibres are breathed in. Undisturbed asbestos cement materials in good condition do not pose a health risk because the asbestos fibres are bound together in solid cement. However, if the material is damaged or crumbling (that is, has become friable), or is disturbed by breaking, cutting, drilling or sanding, fibres are released into the air.
If Asbestos is discovered whilst renovating the Builder will need to discuss with the home owner the best control measure to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Available Control Measures:
Eliminating the risk, for example removing the asbestos.
Substituting or isolating the risk or applying engineering controls, for example enclosing, encapsulating, sealing or using certain tools, using administrative controls, for example safe work practices.
Using Personal Protective Equipment
Here’s a brief outline of Add-Style Asbestos handling procedure:
- All Add-Style building sites have an emergency asbestos kit available at all times for the protection of our workers.
- If suspect material is uncovered before or during the renovation process:
1. Tell the property owner and other workers to ensure everyone knows where asbestos might be found on the work site so it’s not disturbed.
2. Arrange for a piece of the suspect material to be bagged and tested at an accredited testing laboratory.
3. If any asbestos materials needs to be removed to continue the build process arranged for a licensed asbestos removalist to quote and do the removal work.
KEY POINTS
• Inhaling asbestos fibres may cause asbestos-related disease and death.
• Houses built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos cement products.
• The health risk of undisturbed asbestos cement products in the home is very low.
• Householders should engage experienced and licensed professionals to undertake home renovations and asbestos removal.
• Householders who choose to do their own renovation or ‘DIY’ work should follow the advice provided in this guide carefully to reduce the health risk to them and their families to a very low level.
References:
Asbestos: A guide for householders and the general public February 2013
