National Asbestos Week 21-27 November 2022

National Asbestos Awareness Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure and promote safe work practices. The week is held in November each year, coinciding with World Asbestos Day on November 25.

This year's National Asbestos Awareness Week (21-27 November 2021) campaign asks Australians to Think Twice About Asbestos. The campaign reminds home renovators and tradespeople that the danger of asbestos is far from over. Even though the use of asbestos in Australia has been banned for over 20 years, it is still present in many homes and commercial buildings.

Asbestos fibres can be released into the air when material containing asbestos is disturbed, and inhaling these fibres can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer. While there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, the risk of developing health problems is greater if you are exposed to high levels of asbestos over a long period.

This year's campaign reminds us that we need to be vigilant about the dangers of asbestos and take steps to protect ourselves and our families

As part of National Asbestos Awareness Week, we've compiled a list of the top five documents you need for managing Asbestos.

Top five documents you need for managing Asbestos

1. Asbestos risk assessment

An Asbestos Risk Assessment can help you identify the potential sources of asbestos exposure in your workplace or home so that you can take steps to reduce the risk. The assessment will involve identifying the type of materials that may contain asbestos and evaluating the condition of those materials. If there is a potential for exposure, the risk assessment will also identify the steps needed to reduce the risk.

2. Asbestos-related SWMS

This document should outline the specific procedures that will be followed when working with asbestos. It should also identify any potential hazards and detail the steps that will be taken to mitigate those risks. The Asbestos SWMS should be reviewed and signed by all workers involved in the job.

3. Asbestos-related SOPs

An SOP outlines the steps that should be taken when working with asbestos, such as using personal protective equipment, wetting down materials before disturbing them, and disposing of waste properly. By following an Asbestos-related SOP, workers can minimise their exposure and reduce the risk of developing health problems.

4. Asbestos Management Plan

An Asbestos Management Plan should include two key components: an inspection and removal. The inspection should be conducted by a qualified professional who can identify where the asbestos is located and what condition it is in. For example, an Automotive Asbestos Management Plan includes ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, providing clear direction for workers on how to safely remove the asbestos, and creating a record to demonstrate compliance.

5. Asbestos Register

An Asbestos Register is a document that lists all the asbestos-containing materials in a building and their location and condition. If you're responsible for a commercial building, it's important to maintain an up-to-date Asbestos Register. This will help protect the health of your employees and customers and ensure that you stay compliant with the law.

Let SafetyDocs help

Asbestos is a serious concern for many businesses and organisations, and SafetyDocs can help you manage the risk. We have a wide range of templates and tools to help you manage asbestos on your job. View Asbestos-related documents.

For more information on these products and how they can help improve safety in your workplace, please get in touch with us today.

Author - Craig Cruickshank is the HSEQ Manager and Senior Technical Advisor at SafetyDocs by SafetyCulture.

Craig comes from a construction and environmental background, with experience in both the private and public sectors and is passionate about making health and safety information easy to find and understand for everyone.

Learn more about Craig's work on LinkedIn

Available for instant download and supplied in fully editable MS Word format for use in your business.

Please note that the above information is provided as a comment only and should not be relied on as professional, legal or financial advice.