SafeWork SA compliance focus on asbestos management at workplaces

SafeWork SA Launches Compliance Campaign on Asbestos Management

SafeWork SA has launched a renewed inspection campaign targeting asbestos compliance across workplaces statewide, checking how businesses manage this hazardous material. Inspectors are visiting sites in construction, manufacturing, healthcare and other industry sectors to ensure asbestos risks stay under control.

Around 4,000 Australians die each year from asbestos-related diseases, according to figures cited by safety regulators. This grim statistic underscores why ongoing vigilance across every industry remains critical for worker health and long-term safety outcomes.

What the Compliance Campaign Focuses On

SafeWork SA aims to identify and manage asbestos hazards in buildings constructed before 31 December 2003, since many older structures still contain hazardous asbestos-containing materials. Given the age of much existing infrastructure, this focus captures a substantial share of commercial and industrial premises nationwide.

Inspectors will confirm that asbestos found on site has been properly identified, its location clearly marked, and details recorded in an asbestos register. Maintaining an accurate register is a cornerstone of effective asbestos safety practice, giving businesses and contractors reliable information before any demolition, renovation or refurbishment work begins.

Key areas SafeWork SA will examine include:

• Identification of asbestos-containing materials in pre-2004 buildings
• Accurate marking and recording of asbestos locations
• Up-to-date documentation supporting workplace safety obligations
• Risk controls in place for construction and refurbishment activities

Supporting the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness

This compliance campaign supports the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019–2023, developed by the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA). The plan aims to eliminate asbestos-related diseases across Australia by preventing exposure to asbestos fibres, a goal shared by regulators across every state industry.

For businesses in construction and related trades, this national focus reinforces why a documented asbestos management plan matters. A clear plan helps guide tradespeople, business owners, licensed asbestos removalists, and other personnel who may encounter asbestos hazards during routine tasks.

Why Asbestos Safety Matters for Every Industry

Asbestos exposure remains one of the highest-risk hazards facing construction and demolition industry workers today. Effective safety management reduces risk not only for tradespeople but also for building occupants, visitors, and surrounding communities.

Businesses operating in construction, refurbishment, and facility maintenance should ensure they have current risk assessments, accessible documentation, and clear procedures for managing hazardous materials. Providing employees with straightforward access to safety information supports better decision-making on site and helps reduce health risks across the workforce.

SafeWork SA regularly undertake compliance campaigns of this nature, reflecting a broader trend among regulators nationwide. Similar initiatives have appeared in other jurisdictions — for example, a workplace safety watchdog set to audit Queensland businesses and a related asbestos compliance initiative focused on Queensland businesses highlight how seriously the construction industry treats this issue nationwide.

How Businesses Can Prepare

To ensure compliance ahead of any SafeWork SA inspection, businesses should review their asbestos register, confirm risk controls remain current, and provide workers with easy access to relevant safety documentation.

For automotive workshops and specialised sectors, tailored resources such as an automotive asbestos management plan can help address industry-specific risks. Businesses managing broader hazardous substances should also review their risk management policy and consider resources covering chemical safety management, since asbestos often features alongside other hazardous substances on construction sites.

SafeWork SA previously took decisive action against non-compliance, as seen when the regulator suspended an asbestos removal licence over compliance failures. This precedent signals that inspectors expect genuine, demonstrable safety practices rather than paperwork alone.

Further Information

Additional information on the compliance campaign is available on the SafeWork SA website. Businesses across every industry are encouraged to act early, review documentation, and strengthen safety measures before inspectors arrive.