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May 2012

A guide for householdersand the general public


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May 2012

A guide for householdersand the general public

This guide has been endorsed by the Australian Health ProtectionPrincipal Committee and was prepared by its Environment HealthSubcommittee, enHealth.


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Asbestos: A guide or householders and the general public

ISBN: 978-1-74241-736-3

Online ISBN: 978-1-74241-737-0

Publications approval number: D0793

Copyright Statements:

Paper-based publications

Commonwealth o Australia 2012

This work is copyright. You may reproduce the whole or part o this work in unaltered orm or your own

personal use or, i you are part o an organisation, or internal use within your organisation, but only i you or your

organisation do not use the reproduction or any commercial purpose and retain this copyright notice and all

disclaimer notices as part o that reproduction. Apart rom rights to use as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968or allowed by this copyright notice, all other rights are reserved and you are not allowed to reproduce the whole or

any part o this work in any way (electronic or otherwise) without frst being given the specifc written permission

rom the Commonwealth to do so. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights are to be sent to

the Online, Services and External Relations Branch, Department o Health and Ageing, GPO Box 9848, Canberra

ACT 2601, or via e-mail to [email protected].

Internet sites

Commonwealth o Australia 2012

This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce the whole or part o this work in unalteredorm or your own personal use or, i you are part o an organisation, or internal use within your organisation,

but only i you or your organisation do not use the reproduction or any commercial purpose and retain this

copyright notice and all disclaimer notices as part o that reproduction. Apart rom rights to use as permitted by

the Copyright Act 1968 or allowed by this copyright notice, all other rights are reserved and you are not allowed

to reproduce the whole or any part o this work in any way (electronic or otherwise) without frst being given the

specifc written permission rom the Commonwealth to do so. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction

and rights are to be sent to the Online, Services and External Relations Branch, Department o Health and

Ageing, GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, or via e-mail to [email protected].

Approved citation

Environmental Health Subcommittee (enHealth), Asbestos: A guide or householders and the general public,

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, Canberra, 2012.

Photographs supplied by WA Department o Health and WorkSae Victoria,

except dust masks page 29 www.istockphoto.com

Technical writing and editing by Janet Salisbury, Biotext, Canberra

Graphic design by Lisa Abbott, Biotext, Canberra

Scientifc review by the Technical Working Group, enHealth

The Australian Government Department o Health and Ageing provided unding or the development o this guide.


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I am pleased to introduce this guide or the general public on health risks associated

with asbestos, especially during home renovations.

This guide provides useul inormation to enable householders to sensibly and saely manage

the risks arising rom any occasional encounters with asbestos materials in

and around their homes.

This guide has been developed by the Environmental Health Subcommittee (enHealth),

which is made up o representatives rom the Australian Government and state and territory

governments. It is a subcommittee o the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

Proessor Chris Baggoley

Australian Government Chie Medical OcerChair, Australian Health Protection Principal Committee

FOREWORD


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FOREWORD 3

INTRODUCTION 6

WHEN AND WHERE WAS ASBESTOS USED? 8

WHERE ASBESTOS MAY BE FOUND IN A TYPICAL HOME 10

ASBESTOS AND YOUR HEALTH 14

Asbestos-related diseases 14

Risk actors or developing asbestos-related diseases 16

Who is at risk o developing asbestos-related diseases? 17

When are householders likely to be exposed to asbestos? 19

Six steps or reducing your risk 25

IDENTIFYING AND DEALING WITH ASBESTOS 26

IN YOUR HOME

How do I know i a material in my house contains asbestos? 26

Can I disturb asbestos materials in my home? 26

What saety precautions do I need to take? 27

KEY DOS AND DONTS FOR HANDLING 29

ASBESTOS MATERIALS

FURTHER INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON ASBESTOS 35

General advice on sae handling o asbestos 35

Occupational health and saety advice and practical act sheets 37

Asbestos removal, transport and disposal 39

Licensed asbestos removalist and demolition inormation 41

Inormation about asbestos-related diseases 43


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This booklet describes the risks to your health rom being exposedto asbestos bres. It explains who is at risk and how to reduceexposure to yoursel, your amily and others. It also containsbasic inormation on identiying and dealing with asbestos.

Asbestos is the name given to a group o naturally occurring minerals ound in rock

ormations. Three types o asbestos were mined in Australia: white, blue and brown asbestos.

Large deposits were mined in Western Australia and New South Wales, and there were

smaller operations in Tasmania and South Australia. Asbestos mining was completelystopped in Australia by 1983 but it is still mined in large quantities at many locations

worldwide. Mined asbestos only represented a small proportion o the asbestos used in

Australia (about 5%) and the bulk was imported. The majority o asbestos (90%) used

throughout the world, including Australia, was white asbestos. Australia banned the use or

import o blue and brown asbestos or asbestos products in the mid-1980s, and banned all

manuacture or import o white asbestos products in December 2003.

Asbestos bres are strong, heat resistant and have insulating properties. Clumps o mined

asbestos can be broken down into loose bres or bre bundles, and can be mixed with

other materials, such as cement, to produce a variety o building products. Up to 90% o the

asbestos produced in or imported into Australia was used or the manuacture o building

products, especially asbestos cement materials.

INTRODUCTION

Asbestos bres can be ound in the air rom the breakdown o natural asbestos deposits

and manuactured asbestos products. Once airborne, small bres may remain suspended in

the air or some time and can be carried long distances by wind beore settling down. Larger

bres and particles tend to settle more quickly. Asbestos bres do not dissolve in water or

move through soil. They are generally not broken down to other compounds and remain

virtually unchanged over long periods.

Asbestos-containing building products are classied as either riable (sot, crumbly)

or bonded (solid, rigid, non-riable).

Asbestos bres are not visible to the naked eye but, like dandelion

seeds, they are very light, remain airborne or a long time and

can be carried by wind and air currents over large distances.


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Friable products

Friable asbestos products are generally quite sot and loose and can be crumbled into ne

material or dust with very light pressure, such as crushing with your hand. Such products

usually contain high levels o asbestos (up to 100% in some instances), which is loosely

held in the product so that the asbestos bres are easily released into the air.

Friable asbestos products are dangerous because the

asbestos bres can get into the air very easily, and may

be inhaled by people living or working in the vicinity.

When in good condition, bonded asbestos productsdo not normally release any asbestos bres into the air

and are considered a very low risk or people who are

in contact with them, as long as appropriate saety

precautions are used when they are disturbed.

Bonded products

Bonded asbestos products are made rom a bonding compound (such as cement) mixed

with a small proportion (usually less than 15%) o asbestos. Bonded asbestos products

are solid, rigid and non-riable. The asbestos bres are tightly bound in the product and are

not normally released into the air. Common names or such products are bro, asbestos

cement and AC sheeting. In this booklet we reer to bonded asbestos products as asbestos

cement materials (or asbestos cement sheeting).

At the end o this booklet, there is a list o website addresses and

other contact details to help you nd inormation about working with

asbestos saely, removing and disposing o asbestos, and asbestos

licensing requirements (see pages 3543).

However, when bonded asbestos products

are damaged or badly weathered (includinghail damage), areas may become riable.


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Friable asbestos products have been commonly used in commercial and industrial settings

since the late 1800s or reproong, soundproong and insulation. Some riable productswere also used in houses and may still be ound in houses built beore 1990.

In Australia, asbestos cement materials were rst manuactured in the 1920s and were

commonly used in the manuacture o residential building materials rom the mid-1940s until

the late 1980s. During the 1980s asbestos cement materials were phased out in avour o

asbestos-ree products. From 31 December 2003, the total ban on manuacture, use, reuse,

import, transport, storage or sale o all orms o asbestos came into orce.

Many houses built beore 1990 thereore contain asbestos cement materials, especially

in the eaves, internal and external wall cladding, ceilings (particularly in wet areas such as

bathrooms and laundries) and ences.

WHEN AND WHERE WAS ASBESTOS USED?

AS A GENERAL RULE ...

i your house was built:

a Some houses built in the 1990s and early 2000s may have still used asbestos cement materials until the total ban on

any activity involving asbestos products became eective rom December 2003.

beore the mid-1980sit is highly likely that it hasasbestos-containing products

between themid-1980s and 1990 it is

likelythat it has asbestos-containing products

ater 1990it is unlikely that it hasasbestos-containing products.a


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The diagram on pages 1011 shows the many places that asbestos can be ound around the

home; pages1213 show photos o typical asbestos products.

Friable asbestos products

The vast majority o asbestos-containing

products used in houses were bonded

asbestos cement materials, including:

roong

shingles and siding

(villaboard and similar)

exterior and interior wall cladding

eaves

encing

thermal boards around replaces

water or fue pipes.

Some riable asbestos products may

also be ound in houses, including:

asbestos-rope door gaskets in

wood stoves

loose ll roong insulation

(not common)

spray-on insulation or soundproong low-density asbestos bre board

insulation on hot-water pipes,

domestic heaters and stoves

(e.g. lagging)

backing material on foor tiles and

vinyl fooring

carpet underlay (not common;see page 23)

textured paints, decorative

ceiling coatings

heat-resistant abrics

brick and plaster sealants, llers

and some adhesive products

hail or re damaged, or badly weatheredasbestos cement materials.

Bonded asbestos products

Asbestos-containing products used in houses

Remember:

Asbestos cement materials can

become riable when they are damaged

or badly weathered.


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bathroom, toilet and laundry

asbestos cement sheet walls, ceilings

and foors, backing to wall tiles

kitchen

walls, splashbacks, ceilings, in vinyl

foor tiles, backing o vinyl sheet fooring,

underlay sheeting or ceramic tiles

living areas insulation in wood heaters, asbestos cement

sheeting in walls, ceilings and beneathwood-heater hearths

other

backing o electrical meter boards, old ironing-board covers, heatproo

mats, brake and clutch linings, some plaster sealants, lters and adhesive

products, and hot-water pipe insulation set into masonry walls

low-density asbestos breboard wall and ceiling panels (especially

in high-humidity areas)

exterior

fat, patterned and corrugated walland roo sheeting, roo guttering, ridge

capping, imitation brick cladding and

lining under eaves

10

WHERE ASBESTOS MAY BE

FOUND IN A TYPICAL HOME


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backyard

ences, garden sheds, garages, outside

toilets, carports and dog kennels buried and dumped waste materials

11

roo cavity loose ll insulation

(not common)


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Asbestos cement sheeting in eaves ... and in the gable end o a garage

12

Asbestos cement corrugated roongAsbestos cement fue and cowl

Asbestos cement brick cladding Asbestos cement shingles


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... and in a disused outbuildingBroken asbestos cement materials roma demolition

Friable asbestos lagging on pipes Typical old vinyl foor tiles that might haveasbestos in the backing material

I you are not sure i a product in your house containsasbestos, play it sae and assume that it does. Alternatively,

you can get advice rom an asbestos consultant or have theproduct tested at a laboratory (see page 26).

Typical older style Australian houses

that are likely to contain asbestos.

Many older terraced houses,townhouses and units have very

close neighbours who might be

aected when asbestos is disturbed.


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Asbestos only poses a risk to health when asbestos bres arebreathed in.

Friable asbestos products (such as spray-on insulation or asbestos-rope gaskets in wood

stoves and heaters) also produce airborne bres during normal use or ageing. Crumbling

bonded materials, and all riable products, must be careully managed to prevent the release

o bres into the air.

Asbestos-related diseasesWhen asbestos bres are breathed in, they may remain deep within the lungs. They can

lodge in lung tissue and cause infammation, scarring and some more serious asbestos-

related diseases, which usually take many years, i not decades, to develop.

The our major asbestos-related diseases are shown opposite in increasing order o severity.

A person may show signs o more than one o these diseases.

ASBESTOS AND YOUR HEALTH

Undisturbed asbestos cement materials in

good condition do not pose a health risk

because the asbestos bres are bound together

in solid cement.

However, i the material is damaged or crumbling

(that is, has become riable), or is disturbed by

breaking, cutting, drilling or sanding, bres are

released into the air.


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areasofwhite,smooth,raisedscartissueontheouter

lining o the lung, internal chest wall and diaphragm

oftentheearliestsignofexposuretoasbestos

noteveryonewhohasbeenexposedtoasbestos

develops plaques, possibly because o dierences

in their immune response to asbestos bres

peoplewithpleuralplaquesastheironlyasbestos-

related symptom usually have very little impairment

o lung unction

Pleuralplaques

Mesothelioma

achronicconditioncausedbyinammationor

scarring in the lungs

causesshortnessofbreath,coughingandpermanent

lung damage

causedbyheavy,prolongedexposuretoasbestos

canceroustumoursthatmainlyoccurintheliningof

the tubes leading into the lungs, the smaller airways

or the middle o the lungs

riskofdevelopinglungcancerisincreasedinpeople

who also smoke or have a pre-existing lung disease

Asbestosis

Lung cancer

cancerofthetissuethatlinesthebodycavities,

particularly the chest and abdominal cavities

almostalwayscausedbyexposuretoasbestos;about

90% o all mesothelioma patients have a conrmed

history o asbestos exposure, usually because they

have worked in an asbestos-related industry


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TIME (weeks)

Risk actors or developing asbestos-related diseases

Total number o fbres breathed in

The risk o developing an asbestos-related disease increases in proportion to the number

o asbestos bres a person breathes in during their lie. This, in turn, depends on how manybres are breathed in and how oten.

The risk o developing an asbestos-related disease increases when a larger number o bres

is breathed in ...

Number o fbres breathed in

during each exposure (the dose)

LOW DOSE HIGH DOSE

However, very occasional exposure to a larger number o asbestos bres (e.g. unsae home

renovation or demolition next door) is unlikely to be harmul ...

But requent exposure to a larger number o asbestos bres (e.g. builder or tradesperson

using unsae techniques) is much more likely to be harmul.

The number o times a person is exposedover time(cumulative dose or lietime exposure )

TIME (years)Lower risk

Lower riskHigher risk


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For practical purposes all types o asbestos (white, brownand blue) should be treated as equally hazardous

Who is at risk o developing asbestos-related diseases?

We are all exposed to low levels o asbestos in the air we breathe every day. Ambient or

background air usually contains between 10 and 200 asbestos bres in every 1000 litres (or

cubic metre) o air (equivalent to 0.01 to 0.20 bres per litre o air). However, most people do

not become ill rom this exposure, because the levels o asbestos present in the environment

are very low. Most people are also exposed to higher levels o asbestos at some time in their

lives; or example, in their workplace, community or home. However, or most people, this kind

o inrequent exposure is also unlikely to result in any ill eects.

Most people who develop asbestos-related diseases have worked on jobs where theyrequently breathed in large amounts o asbestos bres. For example, in the past, construction

workers using unsae practices may have requently encountered asbestos bre levels well

above background levels. The current regulated workplace limit (over an eight-hour period) is

100 bres per litre o air (which is between 500 and 10 000 times background levels). In the

past, workers in asbestos milling or mining oten encountered bre concentrations a million

times higher than background levels.

Family members o exposed workers or those who lived close to active asbestos mines

(Australia now has none) are also at risk. An exposed worker can carry asbestos bres on

their clothing, skin and hair when they return home. Other workers may have used waste

products rom asbestos mines or manuacturing plants to surace driveways or paths at home.

A very small number o asbestos-related disease cases occur each year in people who have

not worked with asbestos products. The low number o cases makes it dicult to determine

the exact cause o the disease or the likely exposure event, but unsae handling o asbestos

materials in the home may have contributed to some o these cases.

The saety precautions or handling asbestos productsdescribed in this booklet are designed to reduce your risk to a

very low level (see page 18).

Although there is no absolutely sae level o exposure to asbestos

bres, occasional exposure to low levels o bres poses only a low

risk to your health.


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Remove it! Pty Ltd

General public

All air has a low level

o asbestos bres

Householder

Incident such asunsae renovation or

demolition next door

Home renovator

Unsae removal

o asbestos inhome renovation

Builder/tradesperson

Frequent exposure to

high levels o asbestos

by builders, etc i usingunsae practices

Asbestos mine

worker

(Note: All asbestos

mining in Australia

stopped by 1983)

Low

Medium

High

Extreme

Very low

Occasionalexposure

100s1000sx Background

Dailyexposure

Millionsx Background

Regularexposure

100s1000sx Background

Occasionalexposure

10s100sx Background

All the timeBackground

ASBESTOS-RELATED RISK

18


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When are householders likely to be exposed to asbestos?

Householders may be exposed to asbestos bres during accidental damage to asbestos

materials in the home, or as a result o unsae handling o asbestos material by tradespeople

or by the householders themselves. Some typical scenarios are described below.

During normal wear and tear

In normal circumstances, the risk to householders rom asbestos is very low. I the house

contains bonded asbestos products that are in good condition, it is best to leave them alone

but check them rom time to time or any signs o damage or deterioration.

The natural ageing and weathering o asbestos cement roos releases asbestos bres over

time. However, this is unlikely to pose a risk to health because the bres are dispersed,

diluted by the wind and washed away in rainwater runo systems. Air testing near buildings

with asbestos cement roos has ound very little increase in bre levels.

During minor household maintenance or accidental disturbance

Accidental exposure may be a result o someone pushing their oot through a ceiling sheet,

putting up a new towel rail, or even cleaning up garden debris.

I accidental exposure occurs, take prompt steps to manage it by reducing personal exposure

and preventing urther occurrences. For example, you could remove broken pieces, wipe

down suraces with a wet cloth, close doors and windows or even temporarily relocate while

the work is being carried out.

Particular tasks, such as using power tools or cutting, drilling, grinding, sanding or sawing,

can release signicant numbers o bres. The use o high-pressure water blasters or

cleaning can also release bres.

Old vinyl and linoleum foor coverings and tiles might also contain asbestos backing in

a orm that can easily become airborne when disturbed.

See pages 2934 or urther inormation on how to protect yoursel and your amily,

including young children, and dispose o any broken pieces o asbestos cement materials

or other products.

I in doubt, engage a licensed asbestos removalist (see page 27).

You should never use power tools or high-pressure, water jet

cleaning equipment on asbestos products as they may cause

damage that releases asbestos bres. In some states, these

activities are illegal.


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I you suspect that a neighbour or other person is not observing sae work practices (such

as by using power tools while cutting asbestos or by using a high-pressure spray), report the

issue to your local government environmental health ocer.

Note that when you engage a tradesperson, your home becomes their workplace. It is

thereore important to alert any tradespeople who come to your house that it contains(or might contain) asbestos and to cooperate with all measures to ensure they are not

exposed to asbestos bres. I you are concerned about a tradespersons work practices

you could contact your state or territory health and saety authority, who will advise on

occupational health and saety issues or the tradesperson.

BOBS CORRUGATED FIBRO ROOF

Bob is concerned about his roo. He thinks it might be over 30 years old,

judging by the age o the house. The roo itsel looks old, it is dirty and a

mouldy dark colour rom lichen. It is denitely not tiles or galvanised iron, but

is made rom a corrugated material which he suspects may contain asbestos.

He has noticed that a number o his neighbours in the street have recently

had their roos renovated. Bob has also noticed the increased number o

storms and hail damage in the news reports or the area, and is worried about

the bro roo being damaged and then having to deal with the clean-up

problems i it does contain asbestos.

He realises it might cost him money but he decides to get advice. He contacts

his local occupational health and saety authority and also takes a small

sample o the roong material to a testing laboratory to be analysed. The

roong material is subsequently conrmed as being an asbestos-containing

roong material known as Super 6, and is in poor condition.

Bob then acts on the advice he has received and approaches a number o

licensed asbestos removalists to get quotes or the removal and replacement

o the roo, as resealing and painting is not a sae option. He decides to put

money aside to get the roo replaced as soon as he can aord it.

CASE STUDY


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During renovations and demolition work

During renovations or demolition o aected houses, asbestos bres may be released

into the air. While the overall health risk in these circumstances may be very low, extra

precautions should be taken to reduce the chance o asbestos bres becoming airborne and

subsequently being inhaled.

The workers exposure can be reduced by wearing personal protective equipment such as

masks and appropriate clothing. Other precautions include dampening down suraces, not

using power tools or high-pressure cleaning equipment, and vacating the home during the

renovation (see pages 2934 or urther details). In some cases, the level o protective

equipment used by tradespeople will be higher than that recommended or householders.

This is because tradespeople, particularly asbestos removalists, oten come into contact with

large quantities o asbestos material during the normal course o their work. They thereore

have a higher risk o developing an asbestos-related disease and so need to use more

protective equipment than householders.

JOANS EAVES

Recently, Joan had a new porch built on her house. The builder correctly

advised her that the eaves o the old porch might be made o an asbestos

cement product (bro). They had a piece tested and the results showed

that it did contain asbestos. Joans builder arranged or a licensed asbestos

removalist to come and remove the asbestos products beore the rest o the

old porch was demolished and the new porch built.

Joan is now worried that the rest o the eaves o her house might also be

bro, so she contacts the asbestos removalist about having them removedand replaced. The asbestos removalist comes back to the house and inspects

the eaves or Joan. He shows her that they are all in very good condition

and pose a very low risk so Joan does not need to have them replaced.

However, he tells her to contact him i she notices that they are cracking or

deteriorating, or i she is having any other renovation work done that disturbs

the eaves.

By ollowing these simple steps, Joan has minimised the risk to hersel and

her neighbours.

CASE STUDY


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The removal o asbestos during major renovations or demolitions o buildings and structures

needs to be supervised by qualied and licensed asbestos removalists in order to prevent the

release o asbestos bres into the surrounding neighbourhood.

I you are concerned about demolition work being carriedout close to your home, remain indoors and contact your localgovernment environmental health ocer and/or your state orterritory health and saety authority.

DENNIS AND MAUREENS BACK GARDEN

Dennis and Maureen have just moved into a run-down old house in the

inner city. While landscaping the back garden, they nd a pile o old building

materials behind the shed, hal buried under thick weeds. Dennis thinks some

o the pieces are broken bro but is not sure.

Most o the pieces are quite big and dont look at all faky, but when Dennisand Maureen look around the area they nd several smaller ragments.

Dennis is worried that they might get crushed in the lawnmower. Maureen

starts to gather up the pieces and put them in the skip they have ordered

or other garden rubbish but Dennis thinks this might not be a good idea.

Dennis looks up asbestos on his state government websitea and nds a

act sheet about how to dispose o broken asbestos sheeting rom gardens.

They are still not sure i the materials actually contain asbestos but decide

to assume that they do because getting them tested takes a ew days and

they want to get on with the garden. They decide to ollow the instructions

in the act sheet to dispose o the material they ound in their garden.

Wearing gloves and masks they collect up all the pieces, including rom

the underlying soil, wrap them careully in several layers o thick plastic

and tape up the parcel. They label the parcel ASBESTOS and take it to

the designated disposal site listed on the website.

By ollowing these simple steps, Dennis and Maureen have minimised the

risk to themselves and their neighbours.a See pages 3543 or telephone and website details o where to get advice about asbestos.

CASE STUDY


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Other disturbances

Carpet underlay

Some carpet underlay manuactured and installed beore the early 1970s used material

produced rom hessian bags that had previously been used to transport raw asbestos.The Western Australian Department o Health has tested samples rom over 20 homes

and only ound asbestos bres in underlay rom one home. This underlay had been installed

in the early 1950s. I you suspect that your carpet underlay might contain asbestos, you

can arrange to have a sample tested (see page 26 or how to contact an asbestos-testing

laboratory).

Underlay containing asbestos will not pose a signicant risk while it remains underneath

the carpet. I the carpet is badly worn or damaged, consider replacing both the carpet and

the underlay. Replacement o the carpet at any time would also provide an ideal opportunity

or sae disposal and replacement o the underlay. When an old carpet is taken up, standard

precautions should be taken (see pages 2934). These precautions will provide adequate

protection against dust and other allergens, as well as asbestos in the unlikely event it is

present. The Western Australian and Queensland health departments have inormation about

carpet underlay on their asbestos inormation webpages (see pages 3536).

Fire damage

During a building re or bushre, the amount o asbestos bres released into the air is

relatively low. Air monitoring during and ater res has conrmed this. However, pieces oasbestos material and some bres may remain in the ash and may present a risk i they

are disturbed while cleaning up ater a re. For this reason, when cleaning up ater a re,

you should wet down the debris to avoid dust and wear personal protective equipment (see

page 30). I asbestos-containing materials have been burnt on your property, the best option

is to engage a licensed asbestos removalist to do the clean-up work.

Hail and storm damage

Hailstorms pose a risk to roong, particularly old asbestos roos. I your asbestos roong ispunctured or cracked, it is best have your house re-rooed. Be very careul when checking

your roo, particularly i it contains asbestos or other brittle material, because there is a high

risk o alling o or through the roo. Do not attempt to repair broken asbestos cement roos.

As soon as possible ater a storm, or i you suspect damage, have the roo properly assessed

by a licensed proessional.

Re-roong should also be done by a licensed proessional and you and your amily may need

to move out o the house while the work is being done.


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JULIE AND JEFFS HOUSEJulie and Jes house was one o a large number destroyed by a recent

bushre. They had saely evacuated beore the re, but were keen to return to

their house to search or valuables and start cleaning up.

Asbestos sheeting was known to have exploded due to the intense heat o

the res and, in the atermath, there was considerable concern about the

potential or exposure to asbestos bres in all re-aected areas. Subsequent

testing detected small numbers o asbestos bres in the burnt remains o

several buildings, but no asbestos bres in public places.Julie had also heard concern expressed by the health department that

entering re-aected properties and disturbing debris might be dangerous or

a number o reasons. Potential hazards included exposure to airborne debris

rom lead-based paints and burnt treated timbers, live wires, damaged gas

tanks, damaged septic tanks and chemicals in damaged containers, as well as

signicant amounts o dust and ash.

The department advised people not to search their properties without taking

adequate precautions, and provided kits or residents to use when searchingthrough debris on their properties. The kits included masks, gloves and

coveralls that were appropriate or asbestos exposure, as well as inormation

on possible hazards and instructions or the use o personal protective

equipment.

The government also organised and paid or property clean-up, and people

aected by res were advised to use this service rather than trying to clean

up their properties themselves.

By using the residents kit and organising the government-unded clean-upservice or their property, Julie and Je minimised the risk to themselves and

their amily.

CASE STUDY


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Six steps or reducing your risk

Know where asbestos-containing products could be in yourhome. I in doubt, get products tested, or or saetys sake,

assume it is asbestos. See page 26 or details o how to

contact an asbestos-testing laboratory.

Engage a licensed asbestos removalist when undertaking

major home renovations or demolitions where asbestos may

be present. Consider checking their procedures and quality

o clean-up. In some states, homeowners also require a

licence or removal o asbestos-containing materials.

Get advice rom your local government environmental

health ocer, or state or territory government, on sae

handling and disposal o asbestos-containing products,

and on the use o appropriate protective equipment.

Plan ahead to prevent disturbing and releasing asbestos

bres, particularly when renovating or demolishing a structure

that might contain asbestos (such as a house, garage or shed).

Maintain asbestos-containing products in good condition,

such as through use o paint or other surace nishes,

enclosures and capping.

25

Replace asbestos cement materials i they are damaged

or are being temporarily dismantled or any reason. Ensureall riable asbestos is removed only by a licensed asbestosremovalist.


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26

I you are unsure whether your house contains asbestos materials, it is better to treatany suspect material as though it does contain asbestos. This section contains advice

on identiying and dealing saely with asbestos-containing materials.

How do I know i a material in my housecontains asbestos?

It is not possible to nd out whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it.

Careul, close examination o a sample using specialised microscopic procedures is the only

way to tell whether a material contains asbestos. It is best or this to be done at an accreditedlaboratory.

I you know the suspect material was installed beore 1990, it is saest to assume it does

contain asbestos. I in doubt, get it tested.

The National Association o Testing Authorities (NATA) can provide details

o an accredited laboratory in your area where asbestos can be identied

accurately. Alternatively, contact a licensed asbestos removalist to arrange

testing o suspect material by an accredited laboratory.

1800 621 666 www.nata.asn.auThere is a modest cost or testing, which varies between laboratories.

How to fnd an accredited

testing laboratory

IDENTIFYING AND DEALING WITH

ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME

Can I disturb asbestos materials in my home?

Householders may carry out minor repairs on asbestos cement materials, as long as the

recommended saety precautions or these activities are ollowed (see pages 2934).

In some states and territories there are restrictions on how much asbestos cement sheeting

homeowners can remove themselves without a licence; check the regulations in your state

or territory or details. In all cases, the recommended precautions or minimising release o

asbestos bres, cleaning up and disposing o waste should be careully ollowed to reducethe risk to yoursel, your amily and your neighbours (see Peters bathroom on page 28).
http://www.nata.asn.au/http://www.nata.asn.au/


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27

For inormation regarding licenced asbestos removalists, reer to pages 41 and 42,

or the Yellow Pages under Asbestos removalists.

You can also contact your relevant health and saety authority to conrm that the

businesss licence is valid and correct.

How to fnd a licensedasbestos removalist

However, some jobs are best let to the experts. I you are considering a renovation that

involves disturbing large amounts o asbestos cement materials, removing riable asbestos

products, or demolition o all or part o your property, dont do this work yoursel. Engage a

licensed asbestos removalist who knows how to manage this work saely, and without risk

to you or your neighbours.

Friable asbestos material should be removed only by alicensed asbestos removalist.

What saety precautions do I need to take?

I you are carrying out maintenance such as painting or sealing on asbestos cement suraces

without sanding, wire brushing or scraping (i.e. you are not releasing any asbestos bres into

the air), you only need to take the usual precautions or these activities (such as working in a

ventilated area).

However, i you plan to disturb materials in your home that might contain asbestos (such

as by sanding, cutting or drilling), it is important to take the proper precautions or handling

asbestos to avoid risking your health or the health o your amily.

You should reer to your states or territorys entries under Further inormation and adviceon asbestos at the end o this booklet (see pages 3543).

The most important points to remember when handlingasbestos products are also described below (see Keydos and donts or handling asbestos materials).


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28

PETERS BATHROOM

Peter was planning to renovate the bathroom o his 1950s house.

His riend, who is a builder, tells him that there might be asbestos cement

sheeting in the walls and that he should get advice about asbestos removal.

Peter thinks that sounds expensive and he wants to do the renovation

himsel. He starts the renovation, which involves some structural

rearrangement o the walls and removal o all the existing cladding, which he

piles in a skip in his driveway.

Margaret, who lives next door to Peter, sees the rubbish in the driveway

and hears the noise o the renovation. She has read about asbestos and is

concerned that asbestos dust might be blowing over to her house. She is

particularly worried about her our children, aged rom 2 to 10 years. She

keeps the children indoors and phones her local government environmental

health ocer (EHO), who comes straight out to inspect the work next door.

The EHO tells Peter to stop work immediately. Ater some questions to

Peter, the EHO concludes that the house is old enough to contain asbestos

cement sheeting and explains that unless Peter can show that the sheetingis not asbestos (by having it tested), he must treat it as asbestos-containing

material. The EHOs assessment o the site also shows that the total amount

o sheeting that Peter needs to remove is less than 10 square metres. This

means that Peter is allowed to continue work but is given a ormal notice

that he must take all reasonable precautions to remove and dispose o the

material saely (according to the requirements o his local authority), including

double-bagging, labelling o all the materials, measures to reduce dust and

airborne bres and disposal at a designated asbestos waste disposal site.The EHO also advises Peter about wearing personal protective equipment

(respirator, gloves and overalls) while he is doing the work.a

The EHO also reassures Margaret and explains the procedures that

Peter will now be using. He tells her to contact him again i she has any

urther concerns.

aSee pages 2934 or urther inormation on personal protective equipment, and handling, packaging

and disposal o asbestos waste.

CASE STUDY


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29

Beore starting any work involving asbestos materials, you should assess the size andnature o the job, and your ability to complete the task. I the job appears to be complex,

or beyond your ability, employ a qualied tradesperson. I you decide to go ahead yoursel,

assess the number o sessions that will be necessary to complete the work. You should then

obtain enough suitable equipment to carry out the work. All the equipment described below

(including personal protective equipment) should be available rom most hardware and saety

equipment suppliers (reer to the Yellow Pages).

Personal protective equipment

Wearing the right personal protective equipment is essential to protect your health when

working with asbestos.

Wear an appropriate respirator

Ordinary dust masks are not eective in preventing the inhalation o asbestos bres and dust.

You should wear either a hal-ace lter respirator tted with a class P1 or P2 lter cartridge,

or a class P1 or P2 disposable respirator appropriate or asbestos. Respiratory protection

devices should comply with Australian/New Zealand Standard 1716. This number will always

be displayed on the mask. To ensure that the respirator is eective, users should be clean-shaven, and the respirator should have a close t.

Hal-ace lter respirator Twin-strap disposable P2 mask Ordinary single-strap dust mask

KEY DOS AND DONTS FOR

HANDLING ASBESTOS MATERIALS


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30

Keep your respirator on until the work session has been completed, the cleaning is done,

and your contaminated clothing has been removed, bagged and sealed.

For the removal o asbestos cement material, a hal-ace disposable or cartridge-type

particulate respirator class P1 or P2 is satisactory. Respirators or masks should be worn

continually by each person removing asbestos cement material.

Wear disposable clothing

Disposable coveralls should be used to prevent the contamination o clothing and ootwear.

An attached hood or disposable hat, and suitable disposable gloves should also be worn.

The coveralls should have no external pockets or velcro astenings, and the gloves should

be suciently robust or the work to be done. Smooth, nonslip ootwear without laces or top

asteners are preerable to plastic overshoes where there is a risk o slipping.

workinawell-ventilatedareaand,wherepossible,intheopenair

(but not on windy days)

thoroughlywetdownthematerialbeforeyoustartandregularly

during the work by lightly spraying suraces with water or a 1:10

polyvinyl acetate (PVA): water solution, or with low-pressure waterrom a garden hose (i outdoors); keep it wet until packaged

or transport

usenonpoweredhandtools(e.g.aguillotine,handsaworhand-

powered drill) as these generate smaller amounts o dust and waste

chips that are coarser than those generated when using power tools

pulloutanynailsrsttohelpremovesheetingwithminimalbreakage

carefullylower(notdrop)thesheetstothegroundandstackontwo

layers o polythene sheeting at least 0.2 mm thick (e.g. heavy-duty

builders plastic)

minimisecuttingorbreakingoftheasbestoscementproducts

removeanddisposeofpersonalprotectiveequipmentas

described below

showerandwashyourhairimmediatelyafterwardsand,regardless

o whether gloves were used, thoroughly clean your hands and

ngernails to remove any dust and asbestos that may be on your body.

DO

When handling or removing asbestos cement products in general


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31

usehigh-pressurewaterjetstowetsurfacesasthismayincrease

the spread o loose bres or dust

slideonesheetoverthesurfaceofanotherasthismayabradethe

surace o the materials, and increase the likelihood o the release

o bres and dust

usepowertools,abrasivecuttingorsandingdiscs,orcompressed

air on asbestos cement, as these will contribute to airborne dust

and debris

drysand,wirebrushorscrapesurfacestobepainted

walkoncorrugatedasbestoscementroofsifitcanbeavoided

many people have been injured by alling through weathered asbestoscement roos while attempting to treat or repair the roo surace

leaveasbestoscementproductsaroundthegarden,orwherethey

may be broken or crushed.

DONT

isolatetheareayouareworkingonfromtherestofthebuildingby

closing and sealing internal doors

leaveexternaldoorsandwindowsopentomaximiseventilation

covertheoorwithheavy-dutyplasticsheetingtocatchdust,debris

and ocuts

keephouseholdmembers,visitorsandpetsawayfromtheareauntil

the work is completed.

DO

When working indoors

DONT spreadasbestosdustthroughareasofthebuildingthatarenot

protected by plastic sheeting (e.g. by walking through unprotected

areas without removing shoes).


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32

inorm your neighbours o the proposed work, and advise them

to close doors and windows while the work is being undertaken

close all windows and doors o your home, and cover air vents to

prevent asbestos bres rom entering the building

avoid contaminating the soil by covering the ground and vegetation

with heavy-duty plastic sheeting to catch dust, debris and ocuts

remove play equipment, personal belongings and vehicles rom the

work area

keep household members, visitors and pets away until the work

is completed (use barricades and signs i necessary).

DO

When working outdoors

Cleaning up

DONT

thoroughly clean the work area, tools and equipment as soon as

possible ater nishing the job

clean up any asbestos cement residues in the work area, and on the

tools and equipment used by using wet rags and a wet mop, or with

a vacuum cleaner tted with a high-eciency particulate air (HEPA)

lter which conorms to AS4260. Attachments with brushes should be

avoided because they are dicult to decontaminate

double bag, seal and dispose o any materials used during the

decontamination, such as rags and mops, along with other

asbestos products at a disposal acility licensed to take asbestos

keep dust, debris and ocuts damp with water

keep your respirator on.

DO

remove any materials rom the work area until cleaned up as

described above

clean the work area by dry sweeping or by using a household vacuumcleaner

DONT wet down roong sheets i this creates a high risk o slipping o a roo

work with asbestos on a windy day.


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33

keepthematerialwetuntilitispackaged

carefullypackagethematerial,includinganyoffcuts,intwolayers

o 0.2 mm thick polythene sheeting

keepthepackagesofamanageablesizeandcompletelysealthem

with adhesive tape placesmallersizedasbestoswastesuchastiles,offcutsanddustin

two 0.2 mm thick polythene bags (i.e. double bagged), then tie and

seal or disposal with the other asbestos waste

onlyllbagshalffull(tominimisetheriskofsplitting)andgently

evacuate excess air in a way that does not cause the release o dust

clearlylabelthepackagesASBESTOSWASTEusingapermanent

marker pen

assoonaspossible,securelytransportanddisposeofthepackagesat a designated asbestos waste disposal site in your area (your local

government or Environment Protection Authority will provide advice on

where this is)

alternatively,hireaspecialminiskipfromawasteremoval

company to ll with your bagged asbestos waste and have it

collected by the waste company (see Yellow Pages)

seepages3940 or where to nd inormation on asbestos removal,

transport and disposal in your area.

DO

Packaging and disposal o asbestos

store or reuse asbestos cement sheeting

leave asbestos cement products around the garden, or where they

may be broken or crushed.

DONT disposeofasbestoswasteinadomesticgarbagebinorrubbishskip

reuseorrecycleasbestoswaste

dumpasbestoswasteillegally

disposeofasbestosduringcouncilhardrubbishcollections.


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34

peeloffcoveralls,hatandgloves

immediatelysealalltheseitemsintwo0.2mmthick(heavy-duty)

polythene bags (i.e. double bagged) and clearly label to identiy thecontents as described above in Packaging and disposal o asbestos

disposeofthesebagswiththeotherasbestoswaste

washorwipereusablefootwearusingwetrags

leavetherespiratoronuntilthecontaminatedclothingisremoved,

bagged and sealed, then dispose o the respirator by doubling bagging

it as described above.

DO

Removing and disposing o personal protective equipment

DONT keeporrecycledisposableprotectiveequipment;forexample,

dont attempt to shake the dust out o overalls or clean the items with

a vacuum cleaner

launderorcleanglovestheasbestosremovalandlaundering

process causes physical damage or deterioration o the gloves.


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Asbestos Awareness

13 22 81

www.asbestos.act.gov.au

AustralianCapitalTerritory

DIY Sae

NSW Ministry o Health www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/

environment/diy/index.asp

Asbestos Awareness

www.asbestosawareness.com.au

See also

www.nsw.gov.au/bro

New SouthWales

Health eects:

Department o Health, Environmental Health Branch

08 8922 7152

www.nt.gov.au/health/envirohealth

NorthernTerritory

FURTHER INFORMATION

AND ADVICE ON ASBESTOS

General advice on sae handling o asbestos

Queensland Government

13QGOV (137468)

www.health.qld.gov.au/asbestos

Queensland

35
http://www.asbestos.act.gov.au/http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/environment/diy/index.asphttp://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/environment/diy/index.asphttp://www.asbestosawareness.com.au/http://www.nsw.gov.au/fibrohttp://www.nt.gov.au/health/envirohealthhttp://www.health.qld.gov.au/asbestoshttp://www.health.qld.gov.au/asbestoshttp://www.nt.gov.au/health/envirohealthhttp://www.nsw.gov.au/fibrohttp://www.asbestosawareness.com.au/http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/environment/diy/index.asphttp://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/environment/diy/index.asphttp://www.asbestos.act.gov.au/


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Workplace Standards Tasmania

1300 366 322 (i calling rom Tasmania)

03 6233 7657 (i calling rom other states)

www.wst.tas.gov.au/saety_comply/asbestos

Tasmania

Health eects:

Department o Health, Environmental Health Unit

1300 761 874 www.health.vic.gov.au/environment

Health eects:

Department o Health, Environmental Health Hazards Unit

08 9388 4999

www.public.health.wa.gov.au

and click on Environmental health Health hazards Asbestos

General inormation:

Contact your local councils environmental health ocer

See the White Pages

Victoria

General inormation:

Contact your local governments environmental health ocer

See the White Pages

WesternAustralia

SA Health

08 8226 7100

www.health.sa.gov.au

SouthAustralia

36
http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/asbestoshttp://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmenthttp://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/http://www.health.sa.gov.au/http://www.health.sa.gov.au/http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmenthttp://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/asbestos


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Occupational health and safety advice and practical fact sheets

ACT WorkCover

02 6205 0200

See also

www.asbestos.act.gov.au


NSW Ministry o Health

See the White Pages or your local number

www.health.nsw.gov.au/actsheets

and click on Environmental Asbestos and health risks

New SouthWales

Workcover Authority o NSW

13 10 50

www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

and click on Work health and saety Health and saetytopics Asbestos

NT WorkSae

1800 019 115

www.worksae.nt.gov.au

NorthernTerritory


13QGOV (137468)

www.health.qld.gov.au/asbestos

Queensland

37
http://www.asbestos.act.gov.au/http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheetshttp://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/http://www.health.qld.gov.au/asbestoshttp://www.health.qld.gov.au/asbestoshttp://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheetshttp://www.asbestos.act.gov.au/


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SaeWork SAHelp and Early Intervention Centre

1300 365 255

www.saework.sa.gov.au

See also

www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/topics/public-health-actsheets.htm

SouthAustralia





Tasmania

WorkSae Victoria1800 136 089

www.worksae.vic.gov.au

Victoria

WorkSae, WA Department o Commerce

1300 307 877

www.worksae.wa.gov.au

WesternAustralia

38
http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/asbestoshttp://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/asbestoshttp://www.safework.sa.gov.au/


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Asbestos removal, transport and disposal

ACT NOWaste

02 6207 6030 www.tams.act.gov.au/live/Recycling_and_Waste

Australian

CapitalTerritory

Department o Natural Resources, Environment,

The Arts and Sport

08 8924 4139

www.nretas.nt.gov.au

NorthernTerritory

Workers Health Centre

02 9749 7666

www.workershealth.com.au/act-sheets.html

New SouthWales

Ofce o Environment & Heritage

131 555

www.environment.nsw.gov.au/waste/asbestos


13QGOV (13 7468)

www.qld.gov.au/asbestos

Queensland

NT WorkSae

1800 019 115

39

Environment Protection Authority

08 8204 2004

www.epa.sa.gov.au

SouthAustralia
http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/Recycling_and_Wastehttp://www.nretas.nt.gov.au/http://www.workershealth.com.au/fact-sheets.htmlhttp://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/waste/asbestoshttp://www.qld.gov.au/asbestoshttp://www.epa.sa.gov.au/http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/http://www.qld.gov.au/asbestoshttp://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/waste/asbestoshttp://www.workershealth.com.au/fact-sheets.htmlhttp://www.nretas.nt.gov.au/http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/Recycling_and_Waste


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Tasmania

Environment Protection Authority

03 9695 2722

www.epa.vic.gov.au

Victoria

Department o Environment and Conservation

08 6367 5000

www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/2875/1687

Contact your local governments environmentalhealth ofcer

See the White Pages

WesternAustralia

WorkSae Victoria

1800 136 089


40
http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/asbestoshttp://www.epa.vic.gov.au/http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/2875/1687http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/2875/1687http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/asbestos


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Licensed asbestos removalist and demolition inormation

ACT Planning and Land Authority,Construction Occupations Section

02 6207 6400

www.actpla.act.gov.au/topics/hiring_licensing


Workcover Authority o NSW

13 10 50

www.workcover.nsw.gov.auand click on Work health and saety Health and saety topics Asbestos

New SouthWales

NT WorkSae

1800 019 115

www.worksae.nt.gov.au

NorthernTerritory


13QGOV (13 7468)

www.qld.gov.au/asbestos

Queensland

SaeWork SA

Help and Early Intervention Centre

1300 365 255

www.saework.sa.gov.au

SouthAustralia

41
http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/topics/hiring_licensinghttp://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/http://www.qld.gov.au/asbestoshttp://www.safework.sa.gov.au/http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/http://www.qld.gov.au/asbestoshttp://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/topics/hiring_licensing


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Tasmania

WorkSae Victoria

1800 136 089


Victoria

WorkSae (WA Department o Commerce)

1300 307 877

www.worksae.wa.gov.au

and click on Services Licensing and registrationo plant Asbestos

WesternAustralia

42
http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/asbestoshttp://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/asbestos


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Inormation about asbestos-related diseases

Dust Diseases Board

www.ddb.nsw.gov.au

Asbestos Diseases Society o Australia

www.asbestosdiseases.org.au/index.htm

Bernie Banton Foundation

www.berniebanton.com.au

Better Health Channel

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

Australian Asbestos Network

www.australianasbestosnetwork.org.au

43
http://www.ddb.nsw.gov.au/http://www.asbestosdiseases.org.au/index.htmhttp://www.berniebanton.com.au/http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/http://www.australianasbestosnetwork.org.au/http://www.australianasbestosnetwork.org.au/http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/http://www.berniebanton.com.au/http://www.asbestosdiseases.org.au/index.htmhttp://www.ddb.nsw.gov.au/


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