Asbestos is a lethal naturally occurring mineral that should be handled with proper care to avoid contamination. The acceptable standards for handling and disposal are outlined in the Code of Practice “How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace”. It is important that these asbestos recommendations (along with any other) are thoroughly understood and practiced.
Identification
The onus is on the person in control of the property to identify (as far as practicble) the location and types of asbestos containing materials (ACMs). This should be done with the assistance of competent persons that assess the location and send samples (bulk or air) to a NATA accredited laboratory for testing. If asbestos is found, an asbestos register and an asbestos management plan (AMP) must be prepared.
Buying/Leasing property
You should check to see if the building you intend to buy or lease has an asbestos register. If it does, the location of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) should be clearly outlined. The date the asbestos register was prepared should also be included. All buildings with asbestos must have an asbestos management plan (AMP). Check to see how many times this document has been reviewed along with any audits conducted since it was last prepared.
Renovation
You may need a renovation or demolition license before you can conduct any type of work on the building. You local council is the best place to check to see the requirements that pertain to such operations. All property managers must identify any asbestos containing materials (ACMs) before they conduct any renovation or demolition work. The tradesmen and contractors should be informed of the locations of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and the relevant training given to ensure they are aware of the safety procedures that should be adopted and risks associated with asbestos exposure.
Disposal
Asbestos cannot be disposed of with normal waste. It must be placed in thick plastic bags and labeled accordingly. The disposal should be done in accordance to the State or Territory legislation at your location. In many states, the disposal of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) is the onus of the property owner. You may also be limited regarding the amount you can dispose in a particular location.
