Abandoned asbestos mine alerts.

Adfa is conducting an ongoing campaign to warn the general public about the dangers of abandoned asbestos mines. There are many such mines scattered throughout regional Australia and a number of them pose a significant public health risk due to there being an inadequate clean-up on the sites after the mines were closed.

Click here to see Adfa President Barry Robson on the ABC’s 7:30 Report discussing the abandoned Woodsreef mine at Barraba in northern NSW.

Working towards a National Asbestos Removal Policy

It is near impossible to influence the attitudes and behaviours of Australians with out supportive public policy. Irrespective of what adfa does unless we can influence the policy makers at all levels of government the fruits of our labour will be lost. We need consistent legislation across all levels of government (federal, state and local government). Supportive public policy is essential to achieve change within the community. Consider cigarette smoking for example, smoke-free work places, clubs and clubs would not have been achieved with out supportive public policy.

With regard to asbestos policy, more recent changes in state and federal Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Legislation has led to changes in the occupational (work) environment whereby employers are now responsible for ensuring workers are protected from asbestos and everyday work practices minimise the generation of asbestos dust.

Jurisdictional limitations

NSW WorkCover a statutory authority (under state law) in NSW which enforces the OHS in the work enviroment.

WorkCover has no jurisdictional authority in the non-occupational (home) environment. Local government (councils) set the regulations you must follow if you are planning to remove asbestos in the home environment.

Many local councils follow the guidelines set by WorkCover for the removal and disposal of asbestos in the occupational environment for the home environment. Some councils have own asbestos removal and disposal policy and other councils have none. Some councils have specific requirements such as the keeping tipping receipts or pre development site inspections.

The bottom line is that the home owner/occupier is responsible for the removal and disposal of asbestos in the home environment in accordance with local council policy, not WorkCover.

If you are planning to renovate your home and are worried it may contain materials containing asbestos (MCA) contact your local council.

Many councils list local asbestos removal information on their website.