Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is to use Asbestos Awareness Week later this month (22-28 November) to show householders and tradespeople where they can find asbestos in homes and what they should do to stay safe.
In a statement, WHSQ said that up to 1990 more than 3,000 products containing asbestos were regularly used in the construction of residential homes.
“If your property was built or renovated before 1990, it is likely to contain products with asbestos in them,” it said.
“Asbestos products in good condition are not a risk, but if they are disturbed, broken, sanded, blasted with high pressure water or cut, they can become harmful.”
It said that when this happened, asbestos fibres were released into the air, putting the health of the householders, their families and tradies at risk.
“Remember, you cannot see asbestos fibres as they are invisible to the naked eye, but they are still dangerous,” it said.
WHSQ said it had resources online that would show licensed asbestos removalists, professional tradespeople and home renovators the dangers of encountering asbestos.
It urged everyone with concerns to log on to a free digital safety session on 24 November at 7am to learn about the hidden dangers of asbestos.
“Find out how to check for and identify asbestos-containing products and how to safely handle and remove them, including new requirements for the removal of low-density asbestos fibre board,” it said.
Information on the WHSQ asbestos safety session can be accessed at this PS News link and other resources at this link.
