Why do I need an asbestos inspection?
It is estimated that 1/3 of all homes built in Australia contain asbestos. It was used in more than 3000 different products including fibro, flue pipes, drains, roofs, gutters, brakes, clutches and gaskets.
Asbestos becomes a health risk when its fibres are released into the air and breathed in. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
According to Safework Australia 701 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
If you are planning to renovate or do maintenance on your existing home you should make sure there are no asbestos present before you start to avoid serious health risk to yourself and your family.
Maybe you are thinking of buying a new home as your main home or an investment property. You need to know if asbestos is present as the cost to remediate if it is in an unsafe condition could be substantial and you cannot expose your family or tenants to asbestos health risk.
If you own commercial property you should know your responsibilities under the law. The first step is to know if asbestos is present and then by law you are obliged to manage the risk associated with asbestos, which involves:
- identifying asbestos and asbestos containing material at the workplace and recording this in an asbestos register
- assessing the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos
- eliminating or minimising the risks associated with asbestos by implementing control measures
- reviewing control measures to make sure they are effective
- have an asbestos management plan in place
Asbestos is regulated by several agencies, including WorkSafe, Department of Environment Regulation and Department of Health
Penalties apply for not complying with these regulations. As of January 2017, penalties of up to $10,000 (for individuals) can be imposed if a person is convicted of an offence against the regulations.