Asbestos Management

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral rock which is made up of mineral silicate fibres. These fibres belong to either the serpentine or amphibole mineral groups. The three main types of asbestos are:

Chrysotile	"white" abestos belonging to the serpentine group
Crocidolite	"blue" asbestos belonging to the amphibole group
Amosite	"brown" or "grey" asbestos - belonging to the amphibole group

Asbestos is known for its strength and resistance to chemicals and heat. These properties resulted in asbestos becoming a component of thousands of different products. The range of applications included reinforcing in asbestos-cement sheeting, as an insulator on pipes and in building as a fire retardant in a variety of products and materials.

Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) was used in a variety of workplaces from the 1940s up until the early 1980s when the dangers to health inherent in exposure became more widely acknowledged.

ACM is now used as a ‘catch-all' term in the legislation and associated Codes of Practice and means any material, object, product or debris containing asbestos.

Why is asbestos a risk?

Inhalation of asbestos fibres has been linked to three respiratory diseases - asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Exposure may also relate to other cancers, however, there is no conclusive evidence to support these concerns. The three identified diseases are characterised by long latancy periods, that is, 20-40 years from exposure to asbestos to the onset of disease.

Where might asbestos be located in the University?

The Facilities Management Directorate undertook an audit of CQUniversity buildings in 2004 to identify buildings that contained ACM. Asbestos Registers were developed for each building where ACM were located. Regular ongoing inspections of these building are conducted as per the Queensland Work Health and Safety legislative requirements, with the Asbestos Registers updated with any new changes.

Any area which contain ACM including plant, equipment and components, are to be reasonably signposted with warning signs to ensure the asbestos is not unknowing disturbed without the correct precautions being taken. Site specific labels provide an indication of the words that may be used to alert persons to the presence of ACM asbestos hazards. Example may include: Caution - Asbestos Containing Material contact Facilities Management Directorate. A typical warning sign leading to a building may read 'Warning! Asbestos containing material exists in this building, consult the Asbestos Register prior to commencing work.'

CQUniversity buildings could still have ACM located in the following areas:

insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulations, partitioning and ducts
some ceiling tiles
heater banks on air handling units
vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles and
asbestos cement products (the most common asbestos material in the University).

ACM includes asbestos-cement sheeting, eves, gutters, downpipes and ridge capping. Asbestos-cement sheeting can be flat (e.g. internal cladding) or corrugated (e.g. roof sheeting) and is often referred to as "fibro".

How can building occupants locate ACM within their building?

CQUniversity Facilities Management Directorate (DFM) and the Safety and Environment Unit have implemented the Asbestos Management Plan to manage ACM at the University. Building specific Asbestos Registers form part of this management process and identify the location, type and condition of ACM in each building.

DFM also maintains a central register that is the prime data source.

Who should remove asbestos material from the buildings?

Asbestos removal will occur under the management or supervision of a Competent Person, either as a specific project or as part of maintenance or refurbishment projects. DFM will update the registers as part of these activities.

There may be instances where organisational units funded initiatives involve the removal or disturbance of ACM. The organisational unit is to seek advice and assistance from DFM before proceeding with any work. Organisational units should be mindful that relatively ‘minor' works could involve areas where ACM is present.

Removal or disturbance of ACM should be avoided. If removal or disturbance of ACM is necessary, then DFM must be contracted and they will arrange for an accredited person to undertake the work.

What should staff do if they believe they have been exposed to asbestos?

Staff are to contact the CQUniversity Safety and Environment Unit to ensure appropriate services and support can be provided. Following this process will ensure that the appropriate people are advised of the event and that a coordinated approach can be organised.

If an employee is experiencing health problems the first step should always be to encourage the employee to seek medical treatment. Employees are able to lodge an Incident Form and/or WorkCover Application for Compensation for injury and or notification purposes. The process for lodging these forms is explained in the Managing Asbestos Incidents Flowchart.