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Video: Asbestos In Your Home

Asbestos In Homes: A Guide to Identification, Testing & Removal

Asbestos in Homes: A Guide to Identification, Testing and Removal demonstrates the entire process of safe asbestos management by professionals from assessment, identification and removal of asbestos-containing materials to obtaining a clearance certificate to ensure they meet government requirements. Industry experts explain asbestos safety, the legalities and shows property owners the simple steps they need to take BEFORE starting renovations so they know how to protect themselves, their families, tradies and anyone who might risk exposure to asbestos fibres during renovations, demolition and maintenance.

Featuring industry leaders Cherie Barber, Australia’s Renovation Queen™ and Asbestos Awareness Ambassador and members of the Asbestos Education Committee; Bret Baker, President of the Asbestos & Hazmat Removal Contractors Association of NSW (AHRCA); John Batty, President of the Asbestos & Hazardous-Materials Consultants Association (AHCA); and Mathew Klintfält, homeowner and renovator who continues the work of his late mother Carol Klintfält OAM in asbestos awareness advocacy, together we’re continuing to provide essential, informative tools that can help save lives.

The Asbestos In Homes: A guide to Identification, Testing & Removal video was proudly sponsored by EDP – an RSK Company, Renovating For Profit, Beasy PTY Ltd, The Asbestos Education Committee & Advocacy Australia.

Asbestos In Homes: Identification, Testing & Removal (Full Length)

Asbestos In Homes: Identification, Testing & Removal (Overview)

Our heartfelt thanks to Cherie Barber for producing this informative video for the National Asbestos Awareness campaign. Cherie has been an Asbestos Awareness Ambassador since 2013 and is widely known as Australia’s Renovation Queen and the nation’s leading authority on profitable home renovating.  Thanks to Cherie’s undying dedication to increasing awareness of the dangers of asbestos among homeowners and renovators, together we’re helping to prevent the incidences of asbestos-related diseases across Australia.

Asbestos In Your Home: The Ultimate Renovators Guide

NOTE: Since this video was produced, in accordance with revised national data, the year for the end of residential asbestos use has been extended from 1987 to 1990.

 

 

Asbestos Database A-Z

Full Size
NameCable troughing
CaptionCable troughing
LocationIndustrial
SourceEssential Energy
Image Id242
Full Size
NameTrench covers
CaptionTrench covers
LocationIndustrial
SourceEssential Energy
Image Id243
Full Size
NameAsbestos conduit
CaptionAsbestos cement conduits have been used to install cables and water/drainage services in substations. Fibre cement conduits in the floor adjacent to switchgear and transformers are typically a non-friable asbestos product.
LocationPlant
SourceEssential Energy
Image Id244

Asbestos Cement Conduits

Product description

Hard, brittle material, usually grey in colour with low asbestos content (up to 30 per cent). Asbestos Cement conduits were mainly used to convey HV and LV cables into and out of substations, buried under road crossings, containing cables inside or being empty, used as spares alongside roads or buried in the footpath.Extensively used in pit and duct system in Sydney CBD. Sometimes concreted in substation slabs. The use of AC conduits was stopped around 1987, from that date FRC (fibre reinforced concrete) has been used.


Asbestos has been identified in the fibre-cement material in HV cable joint covers and cable trench covers. Asbestos has also been identified in the moulded cement material in cable conduits. Asbestos may be present in the troughing used to encase joints, both direct buried and in pits.


Asbestos cement conduits have been used to install cablesand water/drainage services in substations. Fibre cement conduits in the flooradjacent to switchgear and transformers are typically a non-friable asbestos product.
Product type Cement - sheets, moulded product
Sub-Product type
Trading name(s)
Other name(s) FC conduits, conduits, AC ducts, ducts, cable joint covers, cable trench covers
Build element
Product identification

Sometimes it is hard to distinguish asbestos cement conduits from cement conduits, the best way is to always take a sample and test. When broken, asbestos-containing conduits will have visible fibres, whereas non-asbestos material will have a clean homogenous break.



Asbestos has been identified in the fibre-cement material inHV cable joint covers and cable trench covers. Asbestos has also beenidentified in the moulded cement material in cable conduits. Asbestos may bepresent in the troughing used to encase joints, both direct buried and in pits.
Known uses Electricity supply
Asbestos fibre type
Friable or Non-Friable Non-Friable
Known Supplier(s)
Known place of manufacture
Date / period of manufacture Pre 1987
Building construction period 1951-1960,1961-1970,1970-1980,1981-1990
Location Commercial
  • Electrical
Industrial
  • Electrical

 

More Images

Full Size
NameCable pit covers
CaptionCable pit covers inside substations may contain asbestos.
LocationIndustrial
SourceEssential Energy
Image Id245

 

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Awards – 2014 Winners

 

Betty Awards Logo

In 2014 there were 28 winners in the national ‘Betty Awards’ for their significant contribution to community education during national Asbestos Awareness Month. Organisations who actively participated and registered in the Asbestos Awareness Month Campaign were eligible to enter The Bettys.

Key to the campaign’s success is the invaluable contribution of stakeholders and community leaders who are able to reach out directly to their communities to help them understand asbestos products and educate them on safe practices. Of the 563 councils nationally, 343 (61%) registered their participation, an increase of 181% – the highest number of council participants since the campaign launched in 2012. In NSW, 131 (86%) of councils participated – a 98% increase on 2013, and with the exception of WA (59 Councils – 42%) over 50% of councils in all states and territories joined with the AEC to educate their communities.

Thank you for all the incredible support from all the organisations who participated.

Best Asbestos Awareness Month Campaigner: Government Department or Organisation

Winner: The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils
Highly Commended: Local Government New South Wales

Most Innovative Asbestos Awareness Month Council Campaigner

Winner: Mornington Shire Council (QLD)
Highly Commended: Wollongong City Council (NSW)

Most Active Asbestos Awareness Month Council Campaigner Awards

Metropolitan New South Wales
Winner: Campbelltown City Council
Highly Commended: Pittwater Council & Camden Council
Commended: Holroyd City Council

Metropolitan Victoria
Winner: Nillumbik Shire Council

Regional New South Wales
Winner: Wollongong City Council
Highly Commended: Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Mid-Western Regional Council & Queanbeyan City Council
Commended: Bega Valley Shire Council & Cooma-Monaro Shire Council

Regional Queensland
Winner: Mornington Shire Council
Highly Commended: Cook Shire Council

Regional South Australia
Winner: Wakefield Regional Council
Highly Commended: District Council of the Copper Coast

Honourable Mentions:
New South Wales: Parramatta City Council, Wagga Wagga City Council & Albury City Council
Queensland: Maranoa Regional Council
Tasmania: Glamorgan Spring Bay Council
Victoria: East Gippsland Shire Council, Knox City Council, Maroondah City Council
Western Australia: City of South Perth, City of Greater Geraldton, City of Kwinana

Enter now!

Betty Awards HomeDownload Entry FormDownload Infomation Kit

 

 

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20 Point Safety Check

AsbestosAwarenessIMG_5786RGet to kNOw Asbestos – The 20 Point Asbestos Safety Check

  1. At least 1 in 3 Australian homes contain asbestos including brick, weatherboard, fibro and clad homes and apartments.
  2. Asbestos was widely used in the manufacture of building materials and other products prior to being phased out by 1990 and banned in 2003. Therefore:
    1. If your home was built or renovated prior to 1987 it is ‘highly likely’ that it contains products incorporating asbestos.
    2. If your home was built or renovated between 1987 and 1990 it is ‘likely’ that it may contain some asbestos-containing materials.
    3. However, if your home was built or renovated after 1990 it is ‘unlikely’ that asbestos-containing materials will be present.
  3. If asbestos is disturbed during renovations or maintenance your health and the health of your family could be at risk.
  4. DIY is not recommended where asbestos is present.
  5. When renovating or working in and around homes, if in doubt assume asbestos materials are present and take every precaution.
  6. Dealing with asbestos is important and serious, but it’s not overwhelming – IT IS MANAGEABLE!
  7. If you’re not sure if asbestos is in your home you can have it inspected by a licenced removalist or a licensed asbestos assessor.
  8. Products made from asbestos cement include fibro sheeting (flat and corrugated), water, drainage and flue pipes, roofing shingles, guttering and floor and wall coverings. It could be anywhere! Visit the Asbestos Products Database to find out more.
  9. If you find asbestos in your home; Don’t cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do… Don’t dump it!”
  10. If left undisturbed asbestos materials in good, stable condition are unlikely to release dangerous fibres and pose a health risk. Generally, you don’t need to remove the asbestos. Paint it and leave it alone but remember to check it occasionally for any signs of wear and tear.
  11. There are legal requirements regarding asbestos management, its removal and disposal.
  12. While some might follow the regulations and safety requirements to remove small amounts of asbestos, the safest way to manage its removal is to retain a licenced professional asbestos removalist equipped to protect you and your family from the dangers of asbestos dust and fibres.
  13. Where asbestos fibres are friable (loose and not bonded into building materials), ONLY licenced friable asbestos removalists are allowed to remove it.
  14. Professional removal of asbestos is affordable. You can’t afford not to use a professional!
  15. The cost of asbestos removal by a licenced professional is comparable to most licenced tradesmen including electricians, plumbers and tilers.
  16. The cost of disposal at a lawful site is often included with the cost of removal by a licenced professional.
  17. If you must work with any material that may contain asbestos or remove asbestos yourself, protect yourself and your family and follow the legal and safety requirements for the management of asbestos to minimise the release of dust or small particles from the asbestos materials.
  18. There are a number of safety precautions you will need to take including wearing specific protective clothing, the correct mask or breathing apparatus and ensure you minimise dust and dispose of it legally. Download Fact Sheet 1 or 2 for instructions on how to do this.
  19. Never use tools on asbestos materials as they will make asbestos fibres airborne including: Power tools such as electric drills, angle grinders, circular saws and electric sanders.  Never use high pressure water blasters or compressed air.
  20. Don’t play renovation roulette! Think Smart. Think Safe. Think asbestosawareness.com.au – Because it’s not worth the risk!

 

Important Safety Facts To Know When Working With Asbestos_MG_0029

 

Find Out More About Managing Asbestos Safely

Multiple Fact Sheets and downloadable resources have been developed for homeowners, tradies, farmers and commercial properties on how to manage asbestos in the their homes and workplaces safely including:

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