November is National Asbestos Awareness month (NAAM)
November is National Asbestos Awareness month (NAAM)
NAAM is an annual health and safety initiative held in November across Australia. The primary objectives of this campaign are to:
- Increase awareness regarding the hazards associated with asbestos
- Offer resources to homeowners and renovators for the safe management of asbestos
- Foster community engagement on a national scale
The following are important facts concerning asbestos in Australia:
- Approximately one in three homes in Australia contains asbestos.
- Asbestos may be present in any property constructed or renovated prior to 1990.
- It can be located in various areas, such as beneath floor coverings, behind wall and floor tiles, within cement floors, and in both internal and external walls.
- It can also be found in Roofing – Look for fibrous, grey materials that show visible signs of aging, commonly seen in the “saw tooth” roofing profiles of industrial structures.
- Asbestos poses a risk when disturbed; therefore, it is advisable not to attempt removal independently.
- It is essential to hire a licensed asbestos removalist for any asbestos removal tasks.
- High-pressure water, garden hoses with trigger attachments, or compressed air should never be used on asbestos. The importation, production, and utilization of asbestos are currently prohibited in Australia. Nevertheless, asbestos materials were widely utilized in Western Australia, primarily in the form of flat or corrugated asbestos cement sheeting for construction and fencing purposes.
Despite the ban on asbestos in Australia, it continues to pose a risk in older structures and infrastructure. Many asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were left sealed during the phase-out process, which can become dangerous during renovations, demolitions, or natural disasters.
The inhalation of these fibres may lead to serious, slowly progressing lung diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Work Health and Safety (WHS) and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations in each state and territory mandate that businesses operating in buildings with asbestos or potential exposure must have an asbestos management plan. This plan must be documented regardless of whether the entities are tenants or owners.
More Resources such as Fact Sheets/ Guides; Requirements for how to manage and control asbestos in all workplaces or Videos on how to manage asbestos can be found on the Safe Work Australia Website.
