Do you need an Asbestos Management Plan?
May 11, 2016
2 min read
4The prevalence of asbestos-related health issues is set to increase over the next decade, with its contamination plaguing both residents and workers alike. Asbestos is a known carcinogen commonly found in fibro, a material used in construction, automotive, and other industries.
Australia has the second highest mesothelioma – a type of cancer that commonly affects the lining of the lungs – death rate worldwide[1]. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it is estimated that on average 13,000 Australians will have contracted mesothelioma by 2020, and another 40,000 will suffer from asbestos-related illnesses such as lung cancer and pleural disease[2].
To ensure the safe management of asbestos are in place to protect those that work in conditions harbouring this deadly material, a plan should be written up, maintained, and reviewed regarding the risk of exposure to these fibres once identified. The asbestos management plan must:
- identify the location of asbestos and any naturally occurring asbestos
- include decisions, and reasons for decisions, about the management of asbestos at the workplace for example safe work procedures and control measures
- outline procedures for incidents and emergencies involving asbestos, including who is responsible
- be maintained with up-to-date information
- be reviewed at least every five years or when requested by a health and safety representative (HSR) or when asbestos is removed, disturbed, sealed or enclosed, or when changes to a control measure are made or when the plan is no longer adequate
- be accessible to any worker or the PCBU who has carried out or intends to carry out work at the workplace and any health and safety representatives who represent workers at the workplace
- provide information, consultation and training responsibilities to workers carrying out work involving asbestos.
The asbestos management plan must be made available to the persons working in asbestos-harbouring conditions, their respective health and safety representative (HSR) and other persons to the organisation. It must be ensured that the person with management or control of the workplace reviews the asbestos management plan at least once every five years or when:
- there is a review of the asbestos register or a control measure
- asbestos is removed from or disturbed, sealed or enclosed at the workplace
- the plan is no longer adequate for managing asbestos at the workplace
- a health and safety representative requests a review if they reasonably believe that any of the matters listed in the above points affects or may affect the health and safety of a member of their work group and the asbestos management plan was not adequately reviewed.
[1] http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/australia/
[2]http://www.reinsw.com.au/imis15_prod/web/Posts/Latest_News/201603/REINSW_calls_for_Asbestos_Act.aspx
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