Asbestos removal and safe handling

What should I do if I find asbestos in my home?

Can I get materials tested for asbestos?
What if I accidentally break asbestos?
Can I remove asbestos from my home myself?
How do I dispose of asbestos?
Consider your neighbours
Other things to consider
How to manage an asbestos incident
Who do I contact for further information about asbestos?
Reference:http://www.asbestoswise.com.au/informati
on-and-resources/asbestos-removal-and-safe-
handling/
What should I do if I find asbestos in my home?
If you think that you have found asbestos in your home, dont touch it.
Asbestos is a risk in the home when it is disturbed in a way that produces
dust that contains asbestos fibres. In many cases the presence of asbestos-
containing materials in the home is no cause for alarm if the material has not
been damaged. If the material is not damaged and shows no signs of wear
and tear it can often be left in place. For example, internal asbestos cement
sheet walls or ceilings that are in good condition and coated with paint do not
pose a risk to health, while they are not showing signs of degradation or
damage.
If materials containing asbestos are in your home and are in good condition
(i.e. undamaged, undisturbed), the safest option is to leave them alone.
Visually inspect the materials from time to time for deterioration and damage.
If you are thinking about working with or removing a
material that contains asbestos, please consider the
following:
If it is in good condition (e.g. undamaged), can you leave it alone?
Do you know the alternatives to removing the material containing asbestos
(e.g. painting or sealing, covering with a non-asbestos product)?
Can you comply with the laws and safety procedures for working with
asbestos?
Should you use a licensed asbestos removalist?

Reference:http://www.asbestoswise.com.au/informat
ion-and-resources/asbestos-removal-and-safe-
handling/
If you have to handle or work with asbestos it is important to remember:
Do Notuse power tools
Do Notuse abrasive cutting or sanding discs
Do Notuse compressed air
Do Notuse high-pressure hoses
Do Notwalk on corrugated asbestos cement roofs as you may run the risk of
falling through the roof
Do Notleave asbestos products around the garden where they may be broken
or crushed
Doget the material tested by a NATA-accredited laboratory if you are unsure if
it contains asbestos
Alwayswork with asbestos in well-ventilated areas
Ensurethe material is thoroughly wet down and kept wet during work to
minimise the release of fibres and dust.
It is recommended that loosely-bound asbestos only be removed by a
licensed professional, as health risks associated with handling this type of
material are far greater than for firmly-bound asbestos.
A householder may legally remove asbestos from their property, however as
asbestos poses a health risk during removal, packaging, transport and
disposal, it is important that it is handled safely during these operations.
Please refer to theOHS Reps web-sitefor further information regarding the
safe handling and removal of asbestos in the home.
The Victorian Trades Hall Council (03 9662 3511) maintains a list of
licensed removalistsand hygienists who have also signed an agreement with
the VTHC to operate according to a code of conduct. The list is updated every
three months and all removalists have been issued licences under the new
2003 regulations.
Can I get materials tested for asbestos?
Yes. Laboratories that analyse building materials for asbestos can be found
by contacting the National Association of Testing Authorities on 03 9329
1633 or visitinghttp://www.nata.asn.au/

The laboratories can also give you advice on how to correctly take and send
a sample. There will be fees involved.

You can also contact an asbestos consultant for advice.Click herefor a list
of registered asbestos removalists and hygienists in Victoria.
What if I accidentally break asbestos?
If you accidentally break a material containing asbestos, the safest way to
manage any health risks is to wipe up any dust with a damp cloth or paper
towel, put the cloth/towel into two plastic bags, tie them up individually and
put them in your rubbish bin.

Do not use a normal vacuum cleaner as it cannot filter out all particles and can
release more asbestos fibres into the air. If the material containing asbestos is
cracked, you should seal the crack with a product like PVA glue or paint. If
there is more significant damage, the entire sheet should be replaced and the
old sheet disposed of correctly.

Reference:http://www.asbestoswise.com.au/informa
tion-and-resources/asbestos-removal-and-safe-
handling/
Can I remove asbestos from my home myself?
Although householders are legally entitled to carry out asbestos removal, we DO
NOT recommend this practice. According to theOccupational
Health & Safety Regulations 2007 Part 4.3 Division 7 Subdivision 2, an unlicenced
person may remove non-friable asbestos material if the area does not exceed 10m2
and the total time over which the removal is performed does not exceed one hour
in any 7-day period.

If you decide to remove asbestos yourself, we strongly encourage careful handling

and adherence to safety practices. Asbestos fibres are dangerous and pose a risk
not to only yourself, but to your family and neighbours. If the product is loosely
bound we urge you to contact a licensed professional.
If you are removing firmly-bound asbestos, we suggest that you wear disposable
personal protective equipment (PPE). Double wrap the material in strong, thick (at
least 0.2mm) plastic bags labelled as "Asbestos". Dispose of the material along with
the breathing apparatus and protective clothing at an appropriate waste treatment
centre.
A list of licensed asbestos removalists can be obtained from the Service Provider
Directory at theWorkSafe Victoria website.
How do I dispose of asbestos?
Asbestos waste needs to be disposed of at a site which has been approved by
your local council as soon as possible. Each council sets its own rules on if and
how it receives asbestos waste.
Contact your local council to find out where you can dispose of asbestos waste,
any conditions for disposal (e.g. time of day, maximum amount at one time) and
how much it will cost.

You can also use a licensed waste removal company to collect and remove
asbestos waste for you. They can provide different bins and containers, including
drums and skips, for asbestos waste. Waste removalists can be found in the
Yellow Pages under Asbestos or Rubbish Removal.
If you are taking the asbestos waste to your councils approved site, place the
double wrapped/bagged asbestos waste in a trailer or in the back of a utility or
truck. Secure the load to make sure it doesnt bounce or fly out, tear the plastic
wrapping/bags or break the asbestos. Follow the councils directions when you
arrive at the site.
There is a map created by theEnvironment Protection Authority (EPA)of
Victorian landfills licensed to receive asbestos. This will assist you to identify the
closest disposal option. Landfills are categorised as:

Domestic (householder DIY)

Commercial and domestic
Commercial only

Reference:http://asbestoswatchlogancity.com.au/asbestos-
removal/