During Queensland’s Asbestos Awareness Week from 25th November to 1st December 2024, the spotlight will shine on the risks associated with utilising high-pressure water hoses on asbestos cement fixtures. This includes surfaces such as roofs, walls and fences.
In recent times, particularly over the prior 12 months, there have been multiple instances of individuals and corporate entities breaking laws in this area. Specifically, ten breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) have been prosecuted by the Office of Work Health and Safety Prosecutor (OWHSP). A common thread among these has been the inappropriate usage of high-pressure water cleaning techniques on asbestos-covered roofs.
From the mid-20th century through to the late ’80s, asbestos was a popular material in construction. While it poses no health risk when left undisturbed or if it is in good condition, the release of its dangerous fibres due to improper handling, disposal, or cleaning can lead to serious health issues. Steps need to be taken when encountering asbestos, to avoid disturbances that could potentially expose these fibers,” said Donna Heelan, Deputy Director General at the Office of Industrial Relations.
Recently, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) completed a compliance campaign involving 182 asbestos audits across businesses housed in pre-1990 constructions and buildings known to contain asbestos. The focus was compliance under the WHS Act and related codes of practice. There needed to be an emphasis on having asbestos registers and management plans, such as Bluesafe WHS Management System in place.
Post auditing, inspectors identified 23 non-compliance issues which were promptly addressed during their visits onsite. Furthermore, WHSQ issued 151 improvement notices. Such proactive audits are executed aligning with the NSP’s National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019-2023 and the Statewide Strategic Plan for Safe Management of Asbestos in Queensland 2022-2025. They share the common objective of preventing asbestos exposure and eliminating related diseases in Australia.
Asbestos Awareness Week, organised every November, focuses on bringing about a behavioural change in people and raising awareness about work safety while handling asbestos during home renovation activities. It aims to spread information on WHS management systems, SWMS and similar tools for ensuring safety.
WHSQ has planned a free webinar tailored for homeowners, renovators and industry professionals on 28th November at 10am AEST. The session will cover important topics such as identification of asbestos-containing materials, safer practices for removal, risks of high-pressure water blasts, case studies of mishandlings leading to punishments and fines and more in-depth discussions around work safety products like Bluesafe SWMS.
To be part of this informative event or to find more details regarding it, please visit the Asbestos page on the Queensland Government’s website. Following its completion, a recording of the session will be available on the same website for those who might have missed it or wish to revisit it later.
Asbestos Awareness Week offers an invaluable platform to educate the general public about the perils of asbestos and how safety procedures and systems can mitigate these risks. There are numerous resources available for various stakeholders: workers, removalists, tradespeople, homeowners, licensed asbestos assessors, commercial property owners, corporates and tenants, which delve deeper into asbestos safety protocols.
For more comprehensive narratives around asbestos prosecutions, refer to ‘Losing Breath – The Adam Sager Story’, created by Queensland Safety Advocates Julie and Don Sager. It narrates the poignant journey of their son Adam, who tragically succumbed to mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos as a child.
Discover more around policies, systems, and safe practices including Bluesafe WHS Management System, crucial for aspects linked to professional work, health and safety.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/news/2024/asbestos-safety-risk-from-high-pressure-water-hoses-in-focus-for-asbestos-awareness-week