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General Enquiries

What should I do if I have been exposed to asbestos or am concerned about my health?

Contact your GP or call our office to arrange a health check. 

How can I find out if something contains asbestos?

As stated by the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency: 

‘You can’t tell if a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. Only scientific testing of a sample can confirm this. So, if you think a material might contain asbestos play it safe and treat it like it is until you’ve had it confirmed.’ For more information, please see their Asbestos in the home Webpage 

It is imperative that unless you are appropriately qualified that you do not inspect or remove any asbestos or silica products. Only appropriate qualified consultants can ensure safe inspection of Asbestos materials. We recommend L&D Consulting Laboratory as they ‘employ experienced, licensed asbestos consultants that can handle all aspects of asbestos testing, inspections and asbestos project management. Overseeing the entire project, they ensure that it adheres to strict guidelines surrounding the correct identification and management of asbestos.’  

L&D Consulting contact information: 

1300 506 998 or  

https://landd.net.au/contact-us/  

I have been exposed to asbestos or silica dust at work, what do I do?

WorkSafe stipulate that ‘when working with hazardous chemicals your workplace has responsibilities to you to keep you as safe as possible, including health monitoring under certain circumstances’. They also advise that: 

‘The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 provide that: 

  • Asbestos at workplaces must be identified and the risks assessed; 
  • A licence is required for removal of friable asbestos containing material or for removal of more than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos containing material; 
  • People must not be exposed to asbestos dust; 
  • Asbestos work areas must be left in a clean state; 
  • Waste asbestos must be correctly disposed of;  
  • Records must be kept, and WorkSafe notified, if a person has been exposed to asbestos at a workplace; and 
  • Where there is a risk to health from asbestos exposure, health surveillance must be provided.’ 

If you have been exposed WorkSafe must be notified via their online form – Notification of Dangerous Incident. Please see their Online Form webpage. 

WorkSafe Contact Information 

1300 551 832 / info@safeworkaustralia.gov.au 

 

Please see below links to further information on GOVT of WA Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety webpage for information on the different materials: 

Asbestos – Information on asbestos in the workplace webpage 

Silica webpage 

There are asbestos products at my child’s school, is it safe?

As stated on their website the Department of Education has over-arching responsibility for the management of ACM located in schools and other worksites controlled by the Department. This responsibility is exercised through the Director Asset Planning and Services, who is responsible for the development, periodic review and dissemination of the Asbestos Management Plan and principals/site managers who are responsible for compliance with the Asbestos Management Plan at their site. 

Please see the Department of Education Asbestos Policy webpage for further information including the Asbestos Management Plan schools must use when asbestos is located within the school.

What do I do if I don’t feel that asbestos is being removed safely?

There are strict guidelines which can be access on the WorkSafe Asbestos – Information on asbestos in the workplace webpage for the removal and disposal of asbestos. If you are concerned that things are not being done properly please contact your local council and the Environment Protection Authority to check that it is being done safely. 

Find name of Asbestos Removal company. Contact local government/council health & building departments. 

Is there a fund available for replacing asbestos products?

The short answer is no, there is no fund for providing reimbursement for removal of asbestos from your home. See the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) Asbestos in the home webpage for more information. 

If you have concerns you may wish to contact your home insurance company to see if they have options that may support you to make your policy asbestos ready. See the ASEA Asbestos and Insurance webpage. 

When did asbestos stop being used in construction materials?

The department of Heath advise that asbestos was used in Western Australia up until 1987 on their Asbestos webpage.  

Also very useful info @ https://www.health.wa.gov.au/articles/a_e/about-asbestos 

If you have Asbestos which needs to be disposed of:

Double wrap in heavy plastic and tape with duct tape and take to: – Tamala Park Waste Disposal (Operated by Mindarie Regional Council 9306 6303) on Sundays only. 

Home renovator can take 165k’s free and repeat five times. Must be able to carry from trailer (2 men) and walk load into skip bin. No lifting equipment or assistance provided by TPWD. 

Or 

Red Hill Waste Management Facility 1094 Toodyay Rd, Redhill on any day 8-4PM (Sunday 10-4PM) 

Same as above applies. Carry load from trailer…