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by lack of oxygen. Asbestosis is usually
seen in former asbestos miners, asbestos
manufacturing workers and insulation
workers, and usually takes a decade or
more to develop.
>
Lung Cancer
Exposure to asbestos fibres greatly
increases a person’s risk of developing
lung cancer, particularly if they are also
a smoker.
HOW TO IDENTIFY ASBESTOS
“No one can tell if a product contains
asbestos just by looking at it. Only
scientific testing by an accredited National
Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) can
confirm if asbestos is present,” Peter says.
“So, if people aren’t sure if a product
contains asbestos they should treat it as
if it is asbestos and take all the necessary
precautions to protect themselves.
“To be sure if asbestos is in homes,
owners can have properties inspected
by a licensed removalist or a licensed
asbestos assessor to confirm if asbestos
products are present.
“If in good condition and left
undisturbed, asbestos generally doesn’t
pose a health risk; however, with the
ageing of homes, the popularity of DIY,
renovating, knock-down-rebuild and with
the redevelopment of old fibro home sites,
it’s important that anyone working in or
around homes or buildings constructed or
renovated before 1987 know the dangers
of asbestos and how to manage it safely.”
It’s a scary truth that asbestos could be
anywhere: under floor coverings such as
carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind
wall and floor tiles, in cement floors,
internal and external walls, ceilings and
ceiling space (insulation), eaves, garages,
roofs, around hot water pipes, fences,
extensions to homes, garages, outdoor
toilets, backyard and farm sheds, chook
sheds and even dog kennels.
This means electricians need to be on
high alert while working in older buildings.
Asbestos products can also be found
buried beneath and around homes
leftover from the original construction
when it was common practice for builders
and labourers to bury broken asbestos
materials on building sites which can now
be exposed when digging, gardening or
redeveloping land.
In many coastal regions, ‘weekenders’
were often built from fibro (bonded
asbestos cement sheeting) as low-cost
Where is asbestos located in a typical pre-1987 home?
In NSW, for example, the Government has
regulations in force to protect you when you
are working with asbestos.
These requirements include:
>
It is illegal to dispose of asbestos waste in
domestic garbage bins.
>
It is illegal to re-use or recycle asbestos
products.
>
It is illegal to dump asbestos products.
>
Power tools should not be used unless the
dust is captured or suppressed.
>
It is illegal to waterblast asbestos cement
sheets (fibro).
>
Only licensed asbestos removalists can
remove asbestos of 10m² or more (10m²
is equivalent to the size of a typical
bedroom wall in an average home or
about the size of a small bathroom or an
outside toilet or shed.)
>
Only licensed friable asbestos removalists
are able to handle or remove friable
asbestos.
>
Licensed removalists are to notify
WorkCover of asbestos removal five days
before removing friable or greater than
10m² of non-friable asbestos.
>
All licensed contractors have to be able to
give you a copy of their licence.
>
It is illegal to bury asbestos on your own
property.
>
All asbestos must be legally disposed of at
a lawful landfill site (to find a site near you
visit:
www.environment.nsw.gov.au).
>
Local councils may also have policies
regarding the removal of asbestos so visit
your council’s website to find out what’s
required.
Insulation for hot water pipes and tank
Eaves and galbles ends
Internal & external ventilators
Splashback
Sheds & external toilets
Internal walls & ceiling
Garage
Loose fill insulation in roof cavity
‘Tilux’marble finish wall panel
Internal angle mouldings
Backing of vinyl sheet flooring and carpet underlay
Flues to fireplaces
Ridge capping
Corrugated asbestos
cement roofing
Gutters
Downpipes
Fence
Compressed asbestos
sheet cement flooring
Vinyl floor tiles
Backing for electrical meter boards
Wall sheeting
Insulation below wood heater
External angle mouldings
OTHER: Brake and clutch linings, buried and dumped waste materials
Dog kennel
NSW ASBESTOS REGULATIONS