WorkSafe Victoria is a division of the Victorian WorkCover Authority

Halil AhmetJuly/August 2012

ASBESTOS

MPMSAA Presentation

Outline

What is asbestos? Where can it be found?

Current legislation in Victoria

Plumbers obligations/duties

Scenarios

What is Asbestos?

• Fibrous naturally-occurring mineral

3 main types:• Chrysotile (white)• Amosite (brown)• Crocidolite (blue)

Where is asbestos found?

Vinyl floor tiles

Lagging on hot water pipes

Roof sheeting

Asbestos cement sheeting

Chimney flues

Lining under eaves

Imitation bricks or weatherboard cladding

Houses & building materials pre- 1990’s

Types of Asbestos

Friable: hand pressure can reduce to powder when dry eg. pipe lagging

Non-friable: bonded/mixed with cement or similar material eg. AC products, vinyl tiles

Health Hazards of Asbestos

Lung Cancer

Pleural plaques & Asbestosis

Mesothelioma

Initial asbestos exposure

First symptoms of mesothelioma

Health Hazards of Asbestos

Asbestos Handbook

Asbestos Legislative Requirements

OHS Regulations 2007

Chapter 4.3, Parts 1-8

Removing Asbestos In Workplaces Compliance Code

Employer Duties

How to comply with the Regs

Summary of legislative requirements

Managing Asbestos In Workplaces Compliance Code

Legal Responsibilities

Employer DutiesIn a domestic premises it is the duty of the tradesperson to determine whether asbestos is present

Friable Non-Friable

Asbestos licence required

<10sqm & < 1 hr in 7

days

>10sqm or > 1 hr in 7

days

No licence required – must be trained & have controls in place

Notification, Control Plan, Training

Legal Responsibilities

Employer DutiesIn an established workplace it is the duty of the employer at that workplace to identify or have a register identifying asbestos in the workplace.

Ask to see the asbestos register

Ask to see the asbestos register to identify whether you will be working on or near asbestos containing materials.

If there is no asbestos register and you are to work in an area where you suspect material may be located that contains asbestos confirm whether asbestos is present before you commence work

Confirmation may mean having a sample analysed by a NATA accredited person or assuming the material is asbestos.

Legal Responsibilities – Asbestos Removal

Employer Duties

Control Plan- Required for a licensed removalist

Signs & Barricades

PPE-coveralls

-respirators

Tools & Equipment

-Asbestos vacuum cleaner-Damp rags-Decon facilities

Waste disposal program

Scenario 1 – Replace an old hot water service

Is non-friable asbestos identified? Yes (if domestic you identify)

Is the area less than 10sqm? Yes

Will the task take less than 1 hour? Yes

Based on the above 2 questions/ answers a licence is not required Are the plumbers asbestos trained,and is PPE, decontamination and wastecollection/disposal (EPA licensed landfill)addressed?

Yes

Notification to WorkSafe not required

Scenario 2 – Renovation of small bathroom

Is asbestos identified in the walls, floor, ceiling, cabinets? Yes

Will the demolition take longer than 1hr in total? Yes

Is the area greater than 10sqm? Yes

Does the company hold an Asbestos Removal License? Yes

Licensed removalist must Notify WorkSafe

Notify WorkSafe 5 days before removal

Prepare Asbestos Control Plan

Isolate Area

Correct PPE

Asbestos waste control

Training records, Control Plan & licence available on site

Clearance Certificate required where asbestos removed is greater than 10 sqm.

Licensed Asbestos Removal Duties

WorkSafe Victoria is a division of the Victorian WorkCover Authority

Questions??

MPMSAA Presentation