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What Lies Beneath
What Lies Beneath
Asbestos is a real killer!
60,000 Australians were killed in World War One
What is Asbestos
● Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, that is mined, processed and used for its resilient properties.
● Asbestos is the name given to the family of silicate materialsthat are fibrous in structureand more resistant to heat and acid than other materials.
Different Classifications of Asbestos
Non-Friable (Bonded)Friable
● Asbestos in a stable matrix
● Not easy to crumble
● Easy to crumble
● Pulverise; or
● Reduce to a power
Examples
Friable: Sprayed on asbestos insulation materials, ropes and tapes, limpet, lagging, loose-fill ceiling insulation, Low Density Board (LDB).
ExamplesNon-Friable: Asbestos Cement (Fibro) sheeting, electrical backing boards, vinyl floor tiles
Examples of Friable Asbestos
Friable Insulation Friable Flue Wrap
Friable Pipe Lagging
Examples of Non-Friable Asbestos
Vinyl tiles containing bonded asbestos
Bonded asbestos electrical backing board
Bonded asbestos cement
(AC) sheeting
Size
Non-Friable deemed as Friable
Under some circumstances Non-Friable Asbestos may be deemed Friable Asbestos:
Examples include:
● Asbestos cement sheeting that has been crushed to a powder
● Asbestos cement sheeting that has deteriorated
● Exposure to Fire has destroyed the bonded matrix holding the asbestos
Lesser Known Forms of Asbestos
● LDB - Low Density Board
● Vermiculite with added Asbestos
● Vinyl Tiles, Underlay and Glues
● Compressed Sheeting for Under flooring
● Mill Board - inside old air conditioning systems - friable
● Mastics / Caulking / Window Putties
● Electrical Meter Boards
● Storm Water / Gutters / Air vents-Whirlybirds.
Lesser Known Forms of Asbestos
Mill Board - Friable
Image Source: Asbestos Council of Victoria - Gards
History of Asbestos
There are over 3000 products known to
have contained asbestos.
Most public buildings built during the
1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s contain
materials manufactured with asbestos.
Asbestos has been used for thousands
of years, for its resilient properties.
1000’s of Years Over 3000 Products
Modern Day Issues
This can really put a spin on things!
What does “Asbestos Free” mean?
Recent Cases:
• Perth hospital: Some roof panel samples
found to contain Asbestos
• Asbestos-tainted building product in a Brisbane
office tower
Built anything recently?
Checked with your supplies for a NATA certificate?
Public Relations Nightmare
● Emotive Subject
● Negative publicity comes very quickly
Have systems in place to manage asbestos issues
quickly
System for allowing testing
If you presume material is asbestos you must treat and manage it as if it is asbestos. There are significant long term costs associated with this.
Cheaper to Analyse than Presume
Online Sample LoggingCan you log your samples online using a tablet or a phone?
Prepare and Keep a Register
Asbestos Register (Regulation 425)
A person with management or control of a workplace must ensure that an Asbestos Register is prepared and kept
at the workplace, for all buildings that were built prior to 31 December 2003.
• Do all staff and contractors know where to find the register?
• Do you tell contractors where the register can be found?
• Has the register been lost or stolen?
Review Asbestos Register
Review of Asbestos Register (Regulation 426)
A person with management or control of a workplace where an asbestos register is kept must ensure that the
register is reviewed and as necessary revised at least every 5 years, or whenever further ACM is identified, or any
ACM is removed, disturbed, sealed or enclosed.
• Something Changed? Update Register
• Register more than 5 years old - update register
Are all your registers up to date?
Access to Asbestos Register
“A poor register shared is better than an awesome
register that sits in a top draw somewhere” Not!
Access to the Asbestos Register (Regulation 427)
Ensure that the asbestos register is readily accessible to workers, visitors and contractors.
● Does your register go walkabout?
● How do you KNOW that the register has been provided?
● Can you send an up to date copy of the register with purchase order?
Leafy Green Shire Council
Scan the QR code to review this buildings
Asbestos Register
Simply download a QR reader from your app store. Please contact Security if you require further information.
Unexpected Finds Protocol
Incidents often occur in uncontrolled environments, around unprotected workers and are not properly acted upon.
Work should be stopped and access restricted
● Do not try to clean it up
● Do not cover it up
● Do not wet it down
● Do not walk it around on your boots
● Do Restrict Access to the area and surrounds
● Do call an expert
Caution!!!
Stop
Management Plan
Asbestos Management Plan (Regulation 429)
A person with management or control of a workplace where asbestos has been identified must ensure that an
Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) is prepared, maintained and reviewed at least every 5 years, or more frequently
in certain circumstances.
● What is an AMP?
● Are you being consulted?
Soil
If you manage a property and you are having soil
delivered to that property you should be fully aware of
what is in that soil.
Legal Obligations - all soil should be certified or assessed
for use on that site prior to importing.
Waste Soil Classification
Does it contain Asbestos?
Soil
Case Study 1 - Asbestos in Kids Playground
Recent News Article: 25 Nov 2016.
• Council dumps soil containing ACM at popular kids
playground.
• Kids played in soil before council realised their
error.
• Probably minimal Health Risk - Horrible PR.
Soil
Case Study 2 - Local Council
Council unwittingly dumped asbestos-containing waste into
waste piles in an effort to prevent other illegal rubbish
being disposed in the same locations.
Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation
Check your existing registers, have
your ceiling cavities been inspected in
ALL your buildings?
● Extremely Dangerous
● Friable
● Easily Airborne
Who is on your Suppliers Panel?
Leafy Green Shire Council
Establishment of a register of
Prequalified Suppliers for Trades
and Services.
Leafy Green Shire Council is seeking tenders to establish a register of
prequalified suppliers for Trades and Services.
● Asbestos Removalist● Plumbers● Electricians● Locksmiths● Glazier● Painter ● Pest Control● Roofer
● Rigger Operator● Rope Access Technician ● Septic Tank Maintenance● Gardener● Graffiti Removalist● Gutter Cleaner● Removalist● Every other Tom, Dick or Harry
that breaths oxygen…..
Closing Date: As soon as an Asbestos Assessor tries to join the panel…….so hurry
Do you have a trade
category for asbestos
assessors?
Who is on your Suppliers Panel?
Illegal Dumping
Who is on your Suppliers Panel?
Storms
Do you have an asbestos assessor on Speed Dial?
Lead Based Paint
Lead Based Paint
Lead Based Paint
Typical Side-effects include:
● Impaired Attention/Concentration
● Communication Problems
● Hearing Loss
● Learning Disabilities
● Lack of Motor Skills
● Memory Problems
● Lower IQ
Exposure to lead in the womb and lead poisoning in children can have serious
mental side effects
Lead Based Paint
Children
Have your child care centers been tested for lead based paints?
Lead Dust in Ceilings
● Car exhaust
● Industrial Pollution
● Contaminated Soil
● Lead Paint breaking down
Where does it come from?
Lead Dust in Ceilings
Lead Dust in situ may not be causing problems but if you are planning on undertaking activities which may disturb the dust you should consider having it tested and receiving proper technical advice.
Typical ways that lead dust is disturbed
● Demolition● Renovations● New Penetrations to the Ceiling● Excessive work in ceiling space by trades people
If you have reason to suspect that lead is
coming from your ceiling you should also
get it checked.
PCBs
● Initially Manufactured late 1920s
● Used to make coolants and lubricants
● Sometimes found in older
○ capacitors
○ transformers
○ ceiling fans
○ air conditioners; and
○ dishwashers / dryers
Polychlorinated
Biphenyls
Thankyou
Drop me an email: [email protected]
Call me: 0447 494 816
• Unexpected Finds Protocol
• Summary of Regulations
• Asbestos Registers Best Practice
• Asbestos – Best Practise Guide
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