New and revised NOHSC codes support asbestos ban
The National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) is inviting public comment by 28 May 2004 on two codes of practice and a guidance note relating to exposure to asbestos.
Following the recent Australia-wide ban on new uses of asbestos in workplaces, the revised documents address the safe removal of asbestos and measuring airborne asbestos dust. Existing guidance material about controlling asbestos hazards in buildings and structures will be updated and changed to a Code of Practice for managing and controlling asbestos in workplaces. This will allow it to be taken up into legislation.
After public comment has been received, NOHSC will decide on whether any amendments are required to the two Codes of Practice before they are declared.
It is estimated that each year hundreds of Australians die from asbestos related diseases. Asbestos is known to cause cancer in humans and exposure to asbestos can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. There is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos.
Ban on Asbestos
The nationwide ban on importing and using all forms of asbestos took effect on 31 December 2003. NOHSC revised the asbestos-related material to support the ban and to help Australian workplaces introduce best-practice health and safety measures for asbestos management, control and removal. The ban does not extend to asbestos containing materials or products already in use at the time the ban was implemented.
Why are the documents being revised?
The revision will provide a nationally consistent approach to controlling exposure to workplace asbestos and provide a safer working environment that reflects the current level of knowledge.
What changes are being made?
The existing Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos [NOHSC:2002 (1988)] has been revised. The Guide to the Control of Asbestos Hazards in Buildings and Structures [NOHSC:2002 (1988)] has been changed to the Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC: 2018 (2004)].
The Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces will incorporate situations where guidance is required for work associated with asbestos, including previously installed (in situ) asbestos, to which the ban does not apply, and where removal is not practicable. The Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Dust [NOHSC: 3003(1988)] has been amended to complement the revised national exposure standard for chrysotile asbestos, which has been reduced to one-tenth of its previous level.
The Membrane Filter Method describes how to estimate personal exposure to asbestos and how to help control environments where workplace asbestos processes operate and airborne fibres are mainly asbestos.
How can copies of the draft documents be obtained?
Draft copies of the new and revised NOHSC documents and information on how to provide public comment are freely available from the NOHSC Website at http://www.nohsc.gov.au/PublicComment.
Or call 1800 552 488 to request a hard copy of the documents.
For more information contact Karen Fox, Chemical Standards, on (02) 6279 1141.
5 April 2004
Page last updated: 06/07/2008