ASBESTOS IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Although banned in the 1980s for use in commercial and non-residential properties, asbestos continued to be used in multiple locations throughout many of these properties prior to 31 December 2003.

The more fibers inhaled, the greater the risk to health. If you’ve ignored the warnings in the past, it’s time to take the warnings seriously and follow Work Health and Safety regulations to manage asbestos safely! It’s just not worth the risk!

The risks of asbestos to the health of workers

  • If fibers become airborne and settle on clothing, equipment and surfaces and are inhaled, this can lead to incurable diseases including mesothelioma

  • lung cancer

  • and asbestosis.

Asbestos is classified as being “non-friable” or “friable”.

Non-friable Asbestos

  • cannot be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry.

  • can be found in a variety of building locations.

Examples of non-friable asbestos in commercial and non-residential buildings include:

  1. Asbestos cement (AC) sheeting (fibro) flat or corrugated used internally and externally including roofing;

  2. AC moulded products - architrave, joins, flues, downpipes, guttering, water and sewerage pipes;

  3. AC ceiling tiles - perforated and solid;

  4. Wall and floor coverings - vinyl and ceramic tiles, carpet underlay and vinyl sheeting;

  5. Bitumen-based adhesives and waterproofing;

  6. Electrical stations (switchboards, fuses, wire sheathing) and plant;

  7. Walls in bathrooms and petitions in toilet cubicles, kitchens and washrooms;

  8. Textiles including asbestos ropes and fire blankets;

  9. Resin-based products used in a broad range of electrical, thermal and acoustic applications;

  10. Plastic and paint products including epoxy paints;

  11. Sealants, adhesives and filters; and

  12. Friction products including gaskets. Over time, some non-friable materials may become friable.

Examples of non-friable asbestos-containing material that can become friable as a result of a work process:

  1. Asbestos cement sheeting that has been crushed;

  2. Asbestos cement sheeting that has deteriorated from long-term exposure to a chemical mist, sun, rain or hail; and

  3. Asbestos-containing floor finishes that have become heavily worn such as sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles.

Friable Asbestos

  • In the form of a powder or can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry.

  • mainly used in industrial applications but non-friable asbestos can become friable if damaged, unsealed and exposed to weather.

  • ONLY Class A Licenced Asbestos Removalists can remove friable asbestos. (AUSBESTOS HOLD BOTH CLASS A & B LICENCES)

Examples of friable asbestos materials include:

  1. Fire retardants - sprayed coatings on walls, beams including steel;

  2. Insulation - sprayed in building cavities;

  3. Loose asbestos in ceiling or floor and rise cavities and roof spaces;

  4. Textured coatings sprayed onto ceilings;

  5. Pipe lagging; and

  6. Mill board – air conditioning heater banks and hot water system components


HAVE YOU CHECKED EVERYWHERE?