Asbestos Australia
Mining of Asbestos in Australia
Throughout Australia asbestos mining started in the early 1930s and continued on until the mid 1960s. NSW was the first state in Australia to mine asbestos, producing the most chrysotile asbestos; however the largest asbestos mines were in Western Australia (Wittenoom, Yampire Gorges and Pilbara region) mining mainly crocidolite asbestos.
Usage of Asbestos in Australia
In Australia asbestos was extensively used from the 1950s until 2003 when it was prohibited. In the 1950s more than half the Australian houses used asbestos containing material. Throughout Australia asbestos was used because of its heat resistance and fire proofing properties. It was used in construction material (cement sheets, vinyl sheets, and mastics), insulating material (fire doors, insulating bats and insulating boards), air conditioning, plant equipment (autoclaves and gaskets) and in automotives.
Legislation of Asbestos in Australia
Under the NOHSC Code of Practice in Australia asbestos, was banned in December 2003, with a limited and restricted number of exemptions that were only applied until December 2007. However the Australian asbestos ban does not apply to the following:
- Removal and disposal of asbestos
- In situ products
- Bona fide research and/or analysis
- As an item of display in museums
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Chrysotile asbestos encountered during non asbestos mining
Management of Asbestos in Australia
In Australia asbestos can be managed by following the steps below.
- Identifying asbestos containing material - this is done in an asbestos survey or inspection where a competent person identifies all ACM within a property within accessible areas. The location and condition of the ACM is noted.
- Assessing the potential risk of the asbestos
- Employ appropriate measures to control or eliminate the risk- this involves regular inspections of the ACM or its removal depending on the condition.
- Asbestos register- the premises must contain an ACM register containing the location of all identified material, the condition it is in and the control measures taken
- Notify residents/employees - all residents/ employees must be notified about any ACM in the premises.
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