Fibro and Asbestos
Asbestos materials were commonly used in the building industry from 1940 to 1980. There is now a ban on using asbestos products.
The most commonly found household building materials containing asbestos are asbestos cement products also called "fibro" and "AC sheeting".
Other asbestos cement products that may be found around the home include:
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flat or corrugated sheeting;
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water or flue pipes;
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roof shingles;
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flexible building boards;
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imitation brick cladding;
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vinyl floor tiles; and
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backing of linoleum floor covering.
Health risks of asbestos
Generally the presence of asbestos in household building materials does not pose a risk to health unless the material is broken, deteriorating or disturbed in a way that dust fibres are produced.
Special precautions should be taken by anyone needing to disturb asbestos, including wetting down work areas, wearing special filtered respirators, disposal coveralls and gloves, and correctly packing and labelling asbestos for transport and disposal at licensed sites.
For further information on health risks of asbestos see NSW Health.
The asbestos practical guide prepared by NSW Government contains further information about asbestos.
Asbestos can be a health risk during removal, packaging, transport and disposal. It is important that it is handled safely at these times, the best way to do this is to use a licensed asbestos removalist.
Council planning approvals may contain conditions requiring the use of licensed asbestos removalists
Licensing requirements for removing asbestos
WorkCover NSW regulates the licensing of asbestos removalists. The WorkCover website contains additional information on asbestos
Asbestos licences are designated as AS1 and AS2 licences:
You can search on-line or in the phone book to find a licensed asbestos removalist or call the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association on 02 8586 3521
As Queanbeyan is so close to the ACT you should check that whoever you employ to remove your asbestos is licensed by WorkCover NSW.
Controls and limitations
Friable asbestos: You must always use a licensed asbestos removalist.
Bonded asbestos: You must use a licensed removalists to remove more than 10square meters.
Everyone should implement the safeguards specified within the WorkCover catalogue titled Working with Asbestos Guide.
Disposal and transport of asbestos
Licensed asbestos removalists will look after disposal and transport for you.
If removing less than 10 square meters of asbestos yourself you should follow the WorkCover guidelines on Working with asbestos and you will need to arrange correct disposal. The closest disposal point for Queanbeyan residents is in ACT
For full details on ACT asbestos requirements see the ACT Asbestos Awareness website.
Mugga Lane small vehicle transfer station accepts asbestos waste from 7:30am to 5:00pm daily (except Christmas Day and Good Friday). No appointment is necessary. However asbestos waste must be double wrapped in heavy duty plastic (200 microns). Heavy duty plastic is available at hardware stores.
Other useful links to relevant web sites
Additional web site references include:
ACT Asbestos Awareness
NSW Government
Think Asbestos
Dust Diseases Board of NSW
NSW Work Cover
Work Safe Australia