Asbestos: don't risk it
Asbestos is a generic term for a number of fibrous silicate rock-forming minerals. As a naturally occurring rock fibre, asbestos is mined then broken down from mineral clumps into groups of loose fibres.
Airborne asbestos fibres are small, odourless and tasteless. It presents a health risk when it crumbles and the fine fibres are breathed into the lungs.
Where is it found?
Buildings, houses and flats erected before the mid 1980s may contain asbestos. Examples of where asbestos can be commonly found in buildings include:
- Fibro sheeting (commonly found in older garages, bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and external walls)
- Roofs (including eaves and gables)
- Vinyl tiles and backing
- Guttering
- Drainage and flue pipes.
Hazardous substances
A number of other substances may be present particularly in older buildings that may present health risks if disturbed during renovation or demolition work including but not limited to:
- Lead paint (often in paints used in houses built prior to 1970)
- Synthetic Mineral Fibres (used for thermal and acoustic insulation, and reinforcing agents)
- PCB’s(found in older fluorescent light fittings, transformers and capacitors)
Removal and handling of asbestos as part of a development application
Council normally requires a licensed asbestos removal contractor be used for the removal of asbestos in all building work that requires development approval and encourages home owners to use licensed contractors in all other circumstances.
Note: To be licensed an asbestos removal contractor must hold an AS1, AS2 or appropriate demolition licence issued by WorkCover for the removal of asbestos. A certificate obtained from a one or two day TAFE course is not the same as an asbestos removal license.
Council normally requires a Hazardous Substances Audit (and if hazardous substances are present a dHazardous Substances Management Plan) be prepared for all development applications that involve the demolition of a building.
Demolition means the defacing, destruction, pulling down or removal of that building in whole or in part.
This requirement is in accordance with Australian Standard AS2601:2001 – The Demolition of Structures
The hazardous substances audit and any associated management plan may be required up front as part of the assessment process prior to Council issuing consent for the development. Alternatively they may be required to be completed as part of the conditions of a development consent.
Removal and handling of asbestos that is not part of a development application
It is important to get advice about how to identify, remove and handle asbestos and hazardous substances properly.
Special care and management is needed even for small renovation jobs that don’t require a development application.
Newcastle City Council recommends you:
- Treat all fibro sheets as if they contain asbestos unless tested
- Use a licensed asbestos removal contractor to remove all materials containing asbestos.
These recommendations are enforced on all development approvals issued by Newcastle City Council.
Visit our removing asbestos safely image gallery.
Disposing of asbestos
Summerhill Waste Management Centre must be contacted before asbestos products are taken there for the protection of workers. Call 02 4985 6600 for more information.
For more information on disposal of asbestos products please visit our problem wastes page. You can also find information about Summerhill's asbestos acceptance conditions and asbestos soil conditions on our waste centre page.
What do you do if you find asbestos in your home?
If asbestos containing material is in sound condition and left undisturbed it generally will not present a significant health risk. If asbestos fibres remain firmly bound in a solid cement sheet or structure such as in ‘fibro’ sheeting, you do not usually need to remove the fibro or even coat it.
If you have materials in your home you suspect may contain asbestos and are concerned with potential health risks Newcastle City Council recommends you contact an Occupational Hygienist or other qualified consultant to sample and analyse the material.
If the material does contain asbestos these qualified persons can also provide advice on how to manage the risks associated with the material.
Visit our removing asbestos safely image gallery.
Information package
Newcastle City Council can provide a range of brochures and information to customers. This material is listed below:
- Asbestos Alert Fact Sheet – Asbestos and Your Health - Hunter Regional Health Education Committee, June 2003
- Asbestos Alert Fact Sheet How do I ensure the safe disposal of asbestos waste materials? – Hunter Regional Health Education Committee, June 2003
- Asbestos Alert Fact Sheet – What is Asbestos? Hunter Regional Health Education Committee, June 2003
- Summerhill Waste Management Centre – Disposal of Asbestos Wastes – Newcastle City Council, November 2004
- Fibro and Asbestos – A renovator and homeowner’s guide produced by the NSW State Government. September 2004
- WorkCover also produces Your Guide to Working With Asbestos with useful information about the safety requirements in relation to working with asbestos.
If you would like Council to send you a copy of this information please ring 02 4974 2525. The following educational DVD’s are also available from Newcastle City Council Libraries:
- Removing asbestos cement the dangers and safety procedures. Produced by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Electricity Union, 2005
- Our lives on the line - occupational health and safety standards in the asbestos removal industry. Produced by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Electricity Union, 2005.
Further information
If you would like to talk to a Council Officer about asbestos please ring 02 4974 2525.
