The presence of asbestos in buildings can lead to subsequent exposure of residents or workers in the facility, putting them in danger of asbestos-related hazards. Asbestos was a popular construction material in older buildings when the material was used for panelling, insulation or fire protection in walling, piping and roofing; it is now banned from…
DetailsAsbestos was widely integrated into buildings throughout Australia up to the end of the 1980s. The material was phased out afterwards, but was not banned by the government until 2003. The reason for implementing the ban was health-related; the inhalation of asbestos fibres contributes to diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. School facilities, particularly…
DetailsAcross the globe, there are laws and regulations for the proper removal and disposal of asbestos from buildings. In Australia, the law allows homeowners, in limited conditions, to remove asbestos from their homes without professional help. A provision in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations explains that removal of asbestos can be carried out by…
DetailsA recent Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency report states that health care expenses and losses in work productivity due to asbestos-related diseases cost Australia half a billion dollars in 2015. Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to pleural disease, asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Workers most at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres include technical…
DetailsBefore asbestos was regulated, it was the most widely used material in construction across the globe. When the negative health effects of asbestos were made known to the public, many homeowners feared the potential presence of asbestos in their homes. History of Asbestos in Australian Homes In the 1980s, Australia’s construction and building industry was…
DetailsAn asbestos management plan raises several questions. Who should have one? What should be included? What if we share the building with other businesses? Here we answer these questions as well as give tips on how to structure an asbestos management plan. Who needs an asbestos management plan? Not all businesses require an asbestos management…
DetailsYou don’t have to work in the construction or mining industry to be exposed to asbestos. Being in a country that has an extensive history of asbestos use, Australians have a high risk of asbestos exposure. According to the country’s Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, a third of the homes across Australia contain asbestos material.…
DetailsAsbestos fibres are dangerous to health if inhaled. The three main diseases associated with exposure to asbestos are asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos refers to fibrous silicate minerals that occur naturally in the environment. The three main types are chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite. Asbestos was a common component of manufacturing, industrial and construction projects…
DetailsIn the 1950s, Australia was the highest consumer of asbestos, with every major city having an asbestos cement factory. A decade later, 25 percent of Australian houses were constructed with asbestos cement. Over 60 percent of production and 90 percent of consumption was through the asbestos manufacturing industry and residential building projects. In 1984, most…
DetailsDuring the early 1950s to the late 1970s, asbestos was an important construction material for residential and commercial properties in Australia due to its low-cost and durability. In the 1980s, the use of asbestos started to lessen as new types of more robust and cost-saving construction materials were developed. By December 2003, all asbestos-containing materials…
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