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Asbestos FAQs: What does asbestos look like? Where is asbestos it commonly found?

Asbestos Products

Asbestos is a group of naturally-occurring fibrous minerals. Asbestos was used in over 3000 products before 1990. Millions of Australian homes contain asbestos.

Asbestos-containing materials come in a range of forms, colours and textures. It was common for asbestos to be mixed with cement or other bonding agents. Some building materials may have a warning label for asbestos — but no label doesn’t mean no asbestos.

What does asbestos look like?

You can’t tell by looking if a material contains asbestos. Get help from a licensed asbestos assessor. They may have the material checked by an accredited asbestos testing lab.

What colour is asbestos?

  • Naturally occurring asbestos can be blue, brown, green or white.
  • When asbestos is mixed with other things, or is painted over, the colour can change.

 

Cement sheeting and asbestos

Asbestos cement sheeting can feel hard and brittle. Asbestos cement sheeting is white to grey in colour. It is usually flat and smooth, and may be painted or have dimples like a golf ball on one side.

Cement sheeting was made of asbestos fibres and cement mix. The cement mix locked in the asbestos fibres.

Flat sheet fibro was the most common asbestos cement sheeting. It was nailed to a wooden frame for quick and cheap construction and may have been painted over.

Asbestos fibres in cement sheeting don’t tend to move if the sheeting is in a complete piece and is not cut or drilled.

Asbestos cement sheet products include Coverline, Hardiflex, Harditherm, Highline, Shadowline, and Villaboard as well as:

  • Colorbord – smooth-surfaced sheeting used for interiors and exteriors, coloured on one side.
  • Hardiplank – looks like weatherboard and common in single and medium-density homes for alterations and additions.
  • Standard surface compressed sheet – either had a smooth surface on both sides or a non-skid patterned surface on one side.
  • Tilux – coloured, patterned and waterproof, this sheeting was used in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.
  • Versilux – fibro sheeting often used to line internal walls and ceilings in laundries, kitchens and high-traffic areas. Often used by builders in residential and commercial buildings.

Locations

Ceiling and ceiling spaces, Laundry, Bathroom, Floors and floor coverings, Plumbing and drainage, Plant and machinery, Garage, sheds and dog kennels, Fences, Roofs and eaves, Garden and backyard

Known uses

External cladding of walls and eaves and internal lining of walls and ceilings. Cement sheeting was also used in domestic, agricultural, commercial and industrial buildings like:

  • houses
  • sheds
  • garages
  • chook sheds
  • extensions or additions
  • window sills
  • stair treads
  • balustrades
  • curtain wall infills
  • toilet partitions
  • bathroom floors
  • suspended decks
  • sun louvres
  • laboratory bench tops
  • formwork.

Alternative names

AC sheet, Fibre cement sheet, Fibro

Characteristics

Asbestos cement sheeting is white to grey in colour. It is usually flat and smooth and may be painted or have dimples like a golf ball on one side.

The Tilux product may have silver screws holding it in place, or nail heads sitting on top of the sheet.

The joins between sheets may be covered with moulded asbestos cement battens (40mm x 6mm or 75mm x 8mm), wooden ‘D’ mould strips or silver metal strips.

Asbestos cement sheeting can feel hard and brittle. Non-Friable cement sheeting can also become friable if it’s disturbed or damaged by machining or tools.

 

 

 

Eaves and asbestos

Roof eaves that meet or overhang the walls of a building were made from non-friable (bonded) asbestos sheeting until the mid 1980s. Signs the asbestos has broken down include discolouration, cracking or splitting. Do not drill into the eaves as it can release asbestos fibres.

Locations

Roofs and eaves, Walls, Plumbing and drainage

Known uses

Eaves, internal or external soffits, fascia.

 

Door, window, cornice & joining strip mouldings and asbestos

Strip mouldings can have plain or rounded edges, including louvre blades. A round nail may be visible on the strip, usually just above the surface.

Locations

Doors, Windows, Kitchen, Laundry, Bathrooms, Mouldings and moulded products, Garage, sheds and dog kennels, Fences

Known uses

Commonly used to cover joins between fibre cement sheets and around cornices, windows, and door architraves. Strip mouldings were used inside and outside.

Alternative names

Architrave

Characteristics

  • Round nails may be visible on the strip, usually just above the surface
  • They may be painted over on walls and around cornices, windows and doors.

 

Vinyl floor tiles and covering and asbestos

Vinyl flooring containing asbestos comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns.  

Vinyl is durable, so asbestos-containing vinyl tiles and floor coverings are likely to still be in many Australian homes built prior 1990. 

Locations

Floors and floor coverings, Kitchen, Laundry, Bathroom, Garage, sheds and dog kennels

Known uses

Floor tiles, vinyl flooring sheets, plastic tiles, lino or linoleum. 

Alternative names

Floor tiles, Vinyl floor, Plastic tiles, Lino or linoleum 

Characteristics

Vinyl flooring that contains asbestos looks exactly the same as vinyl flooring without asbestos. 

If you suspect vinyl flooring contains asbestos, get help from a licenced asbestos assessor. 

Corrugated cement sheet and asbestos – Super Six

Corrugated cement sheets are usually white to grey in colour, but may be painted. They are hard and brittle, and may have a dimpled surface like a golf ball on one side. Over time, they can deteriorate and release small amounts of asbestos fibres.  Corrugated sheets made (without asbestos) since 1985 look similar. 

Locations

Garage, sheds and dog kennels, Fences, Roofs and eaves, Garden and backyard

Known uses

Corrugated fibre cement sheets were widely used in Australia for roofing, shed walls, and fencing.

Alternative names

Super Six sheets

Characteristics

  • Usually white to grey, but may be painted 
  • Hard and brittle 
  • May have a dimpled surface like a golf ball on one side 
  • Corrugated sheets made (without asbestos) since 1985 look similar

 

Bituminous electrical backing board and asbestos

A bituminous electrical backing board is a black panel or backing board fixed to a wall or an electrical switch box. The board has electrics attached, such as: 

  • fuses 
  • links 
  • protection and control relays 
  • contactors 
  • small circuit breakers 
  • meters 
  • maximum demand indicators (MDIs).  

In an electrical substation, bituminous backing boards are usually fixed to a steel frame attached to the substation’s floor and walls. 

Locations

Electrical and power boxes

Known uses

As the mounting base for: 

  • switchboards 
  • protection panels 
  • street lighting panels 
  • auxiliary power boards 

other electrical equipment. 

Alternative names

LV boards, Power boards, Electrical boards, Electrical switchboard panels

Characteristics

Electrical backing boards are usually dark brown or black with a stiff and rough fibrous or wood-like surface. They may smell like tar.  

Product brand names (Lebah, Zelemite, Miscolite or Ausbestos) may be stamped on the back of the board.  

If a board has been identified by an electricity company as potentially containing asbestos, a warning sticker should be on the board or inside the meter box. 

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Asbestos Register FAQs: Understanding Asbestos Management Plans

Understanding Asbestos Management Plans

 

An essential component of effective asbestos management is the creation and implementation of an Asbestos Management Plan. In this blog post, we delve into the significance of these plans, their key components, and why they are crucial for safeguarding the well-being of your workforce and maintaining regulatory compliance. In case you missed it, read about our post on asbestos registers here!

The Importance of Asbestos Management Plans

Asbestos Management Plans serve as a comprehensive strategy to manage the risks associated with asbestos-containing materials within your workplace. They play a critical role in preventing exposure, ensuring proper handling, and adhering to stringent health and safety regulations. By systematically addressing the potential hazards of asbestos, these plans contribute to a safer work environment.

Key Components of an Asbestos Management Plan: An effective Asbestos Management Plan should encompass the following essential elements:

  1. Asbestos Location: A clear identification of where asbestos-containing materials are situated within the workplace is fundamental to risk assessment and subsequent management.
  2. Risk Mitigation Strategies: Outlining how you intend to manage asbestos risks is crucial. This involves defining safe work procedures, control measures, and precautionary steps to minimize potential exposure.
  3. Incident and Emergency Procedures: The plan should detail the steps to be taken in case of incidents or emergencies related to asbestos. This ensures a swift and organized response to any unexpected situations.
  4. Worker Responsibilities and Training: Clearly defining the responsibilities of workers whose tasks involve asbestos and providing comprehensive training equips them to handle asbestos-related tasks safely.

Additional Information for Your Asbestos Management Plan: To bolster your Asbestos Management Plan further,  incorporate the following components:

  1. Asbestos Risk Control: An outline of the strategies and measures in place to control asbestos risks, along with specific control measures implemented.
  2. Timetable for Risk Management: A structured timeline for managing exposure risks, including reviewing the Asbestos Management Plan and activities that could influence these reviews.
  3. Stakeholder Responsibilities: Identify who holds responsibilities within the plan, ensuring everyone understands their roles in maintaining safety.
  4. Air Monitoring Procedures: Incorporate details about air monitoring processes within the workplace to validate the effectiveness of risk control measures.

Keeping Your Asbestos Management Plan Current: An Asbestos Management Plan must not be static. Here’s when you should review and update it:

  • At least every 5 years
  • When requested by a health and safety representative
  • When asbestos is disturbed, removed, sealed, or enclosed
  • When control measures are altered
  • When a more effective plan is required

Conclusion: An effective Asbestos Management Plan forms the cornerstone of a safe workplace. By diligently addressing the presence of asbestos and planning its management, you’re actively safeguarding the health and well-being of your team while fulfilling your legal obligations. To learn more about the intricacies of Asbestos Management Plans, and how you can organise or update one for your workplace, contact us today or see more on our Asbestos Registers Page

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Asbestos Register FAQs: Clearing the Air on Workplace Safety

Asbestos Register FAQs: Clearing the Air on Workplace Safety

 

As a responsible leader overseeing a business or operation, known as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), your primary duty revolves around systematically identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential hazards within your workplace. Your paramount goal is to eliminate any risks altogether. If achieving complete elimination isn’t feasible, you must conscientiously and effectively reduce the risks to the extent that is reasonably practicable, in alignment with the South Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation.

Creating and Maintaining Comprehensive Asbestos Registers:

Central to your strategy for maintaining a safe and secure workplace is the development and upkeep of meticulous asbestos registers. These registers are an absolute requirement if your workplace contains materials containing asbestos. Here’s a practical guide on what you need to implement:

1. Develop and Maintain an Up-to-Date Asbestos Register:

The cornerstone of your asbestos management strategy is a comprehensive asbestos register. To comply with legal obligations under the South Australian WHS legislation, you must:

  • Regular Updates: Ensure the asbestos register remains current and reflects the most recent information regarding asbestos presence in your workplace. This proactive approach is essential for effective hazard management.
  • Seamless Transition: In case of changes in operational responsibility, it’s pivotal to pass on the asbestos register to the next Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU). This facilitates the unbroken continuation of safety measures.

2. Inclusive Details within the Asbestos Register:

Your asbestos register should encompass vital details about asbestos within your premises:

  • Date of Identification: Clearly state the date when asbestos presence was initially identified or confirmed in your workplace.
  • Precise Location, Type, and Condition: Document specific locations, types, and conditions of asbestos materials within your premises. This information empowers informed decisions about potential risks and necessary actions.

3. Augmenting the Register for Comprehensive Management:

While the core details are critical, consider including supplementary information to bolster your asbestos management efforts:

  • Assumed Presence Acknowledgment: If there’s a rational assumption of asbestos presence, make note of it in your register. Although assumptions require verification, recognizing them exemplifies a proactive approach to hazard management.
  • Incorporate Analysis Results: If you’ve conducted analyses to verify asbestos presence, integrate these findings into your register. This inclusion adds a layer of precision to your safety initiatives.
  • Address Inaccessible Areas: For areas where asbestos exists but isn’t readily accessible, document these details in your register. This ensures even these specialized regions are considered in your safety planning.

4. Your Role Under South Australian WHS Legislation:

Your commitment to maintaining comprehensive asbestos registers aligns with the robust framework of workplace health and safety legislation in South Australia. This legislation mandates your duty to:

  • Identify Hazards: Thoroughly identify potential hazards, such as asbestos, within your workplace.
  • Assess and Control Risks: Rigorously evaluate and implement effective measures to control risks arising from hazardous materials.
  • Eliminate or Minimize Risks: Strive to completely eliminate risks, and where this isn’t feasible, minimize risks to the extent that is reasonably practicable.

5. Asbestos Management Plan:

In your journey to workplace safety, your efforts will be bolstered by an Asbestos Management Plan. This comprehensive strategy outlines specific actions, responsibilities, and timelines for managing asbestos within your workplace. To delve deeper into the intricacies of Asbestos Management Plans, you can find more on our post on Asbestos Management Plans.

By integrating these guidelines into your operational practices, you’re not just fulfilling legal obligations, but also demonstrating a genuine commitment to fostering a secure work environment, protecting the well-being of your workforce, and ensuring compliance with South Australian WHS legislation. Workplace safety is a continuous endeavor, demanding diligence and ongoing education.