If asbestos containing material is in good condition it poses little health risk. However, when asbestos containing products are disturbed by cutting, drilling, water blasting or similar activities, small fibres may be released into the air.
These fibres are harmful if inhaled and may lead to asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Around 4000 Australians die every year from asbestos related diseases, that’s double the road toll. Asbestos related diseases are preventable by following safe practices when working with asbestos.
You must always use a licensed asbestos professional to remove friable asbestos and when there is more than 10sqm of non-friable (bonded) asbestos. However due to the risks associated with disturbing asbestos, SafeWork NSW recommends you use a licensed asbestos professional to remove any amount of non-friable asbestos.
SafeWork NSW has launched an asbestos awareness and safety course about how to protect yourself when handling products containing asbestos.
This course will help you identify asbestos and hazardous activities that lead to asbestos exposure. You will learn about:
This course is for:
Completing this course will ensure employers meet their legal obligation to provide asbestos awareness training to workers who are likely to encounter asbestos on the job. Further training is required to do licensed asbestos removal work i.e. to remove more than 10sqm of non-friable asbestos or any amount of friable asbestos.
Register today at the TAFE NSW store website.
If you have a query relating to asbestos in the workplace or you are an asbestos worker.
To report illegal dumping of asbestos contact the NSW Environment Protection Authority or 131555.
For a list of approved facilities who accept asbestos waste contact the NSW Environment Protection Authority or 131 555.
Contact your property manager to discuss the issue.
If you are unable to reach a resolution, contact your local council
If the area where the asbestos is being removed has been secured to prevent unauthorised access, asbestos signage is in place and workers are wearing full personal protective equipment then the removal is unlikely to pose any risk to you. If you are still concerned:
If the removal is at a residential property, contact your local council
If the removal is at a workplace, contact SafeWork NSW
A non-friable asbestos removal licence is required to remove more than 10sqm of non-friable asbestos.
A friable asbestos removal licence is required to remove any amount of friable asbestos.
SafeWork NSW recommends that you contact a licensed asbestos professional to assess or remove any amount of asbestos.
A competent person is someone who has acquired through training or experience the knowledge and skills of relevant asbestos removal industry practice and holds the following:
Asbestos assessor licenses are required to provide air monitoring and clearance certificates in relation to friable asbestos removal work.
Clearance certificates must be issued by independent asbestos assessors for all friable asbestos removal work before a site can be reoccupied.
For non-friable asbestos removal work, clearance certificates may be issued by either a competent person or an asbestos assessor.
For licensed asbestos removal work, there must be a nominated supervisor present whenever Class A (friable asbestos) removal work is carried out. A nominated supervisor must be present or readily available to attend the site when Class B (non-friable asbestos) removal work is being carried out.
A clearance inspection is required at the completion of all licensed asbestos removal work, prior to reoccupation.
They can only be undertaken by a person who is independent of the asbestos removal work and who has acquired the relevant training or experience to undertake the work.
Persons undertaking asbestos clearance inspections MUST ensure they are independent of the asbestos removal work which means:
If there is potential for a perceived conflict of interest you should consider that they are not independent. For example if the person is a relative, friend or there is an ongoing working relationship then this would not be deemed independent.
Friable asbestos is asbestos in a powder form or that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry.
Non-friable asbestos is material containing asbestos fibres reinforced with a bonding compound. It is also known as bonded asbestos and can be found in products such as asbestos cement sheeting commonly used in building materials between 1940’s to the late 1980’s.
If you’re renovating or working on a home or building built before the late 1980s, it may contain asbestos.
Asbestos materials were commonly used in flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, as well as roofs, ceilings, walls and more. There is no known safe minimum level of exposure.
Use the asbestos finder to see what products might contain asbestos and where they are commonly located.
If you think it’s asbestos, treat it like it is and call a licensed asbestos professional to help you assess it and remove it.
The only way to be certain that something contains asbestos is to have a sample tested in a laboratory. Treat all suspected asbestos as asbestos until test results confirm otherwise.
All asbestos testing should be done by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited facility. NATA accreditation is formal recognition that the facility produces reliable technical results.
A list of NATA accredited facilities is available on the NATA website.
It is strongly recommended that you use a licensed professional to collect samples of suspected asbestos for testing.
If your workplace was built before 31 December 2003 or if asbestos has been identified at the workplace, you must keep a register that outlines:
If asbestos has been identified at your workplace, you must prepare and maintain an asbestos management plan, regardless if the asbestos is naturally occurring or manufactured.
Your plan must include:
You must review the plan at least every five years or when:
The plan must be available to anyone involved in work at the workplace.
Select a quick link for photos of asbestos hazards for different tradies.
Electrical backing board
Tilux wall in bathroom
Wall sheeting behind tiles
Loose-fill roof insulation
Wall sheeting in kitchen
Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives
Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives
Walls, ceiling and moldings
'Super 6' fencing
Gutter, downpipes, eaves and cover strips
Flashing, roofing and guttering
Wall sheeting, gutters, cover strips
Wall sheeting, cover strips, flashings
Super 6 roof and sheeting
Super 6 roof and flashings
Asbestos in its natural form can be blue (crocidolite), brown (amosite), green (anthophyllite tremolite and actinolite) or white (chrysotile, tremolite and actinolite). Known as Naturally Occurring Asbestos or NOA, it’s found in some rocks, sediments and in soils in various regions of NSW and is not easily identified.
If covered and left undisturbed, NOA is not considered dangerous. However, if disturbed and microscopic fibres become airborne or settle on clothing or equipment and can be inhaled, NOA can cause incurable diseases including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
Less than one percent of land in NSW is believed to contain NOA within 10 metres of the ground’s surface. NOA veins are scattered around the state, mostly west of the Great Dividing Range.
Only testing by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory, of a sample collected by a competent person, can confirm the presence of asbestos in any workplace including in building materials or in its natural forms in the environment.
Any work or activities that could disturb affected earth, rocks, and soils creates a potential risk. This is because disturbing NOA can release asbestos fibres into the air, which could be inhaled or contaminate clothing and equipment.
A suite of guidance material has been developed to assist those in areas where NOA may be present – see links below
The Environment Protection Authority is working with the City of Parramatta Council and other state government authorities including SafeWork NSW, to re-assess the risk of contamination at properties around the Parramatta local government area where James Hardie may have disposed of asbestos waste materials.
For more information visit James Hardie asbestos waste contamination on the NSW EPA website.
Loose-fill asbestos was sold as ceiling insulation In the 1960s and 1970s by a company trading as Mr Fluffy.
While most properties impacted were located in the ACT, some properties in NSW were identified as containing this type of insulation.
In December 2014, the NSW Government offered a package for affected home-owners in response to the issue of loose-fill asbestos insulation in NSW homes.
For more information visit the Loose-fill asbestos insulation page on the NSW Fair Trading website.
If you employ workers who are at risk of being exposed to asbestos, you are required by law to advise them about the health risks of exposure.
Inhalation of asbestos fibres may lead to diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Employers must ensure their workers follow safe processes when working with asbestos to prevent exposure.
If asbestos is disturbed it can release dangerous fine particles of dust containing asbestos fibres which can cause illness when inhaled.
Asbestosis is a chronic chest disease caused by inhalation of high concentrations of asbestos fibres. The condition can develop 10 to 20 years after initial exposure. Asbestos fibres initially damage cell membranes in the lungs and, as a result, the lung tissue becomes hardened and scars.
Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath after exercise, persistent coughing, chest pain, phlegm, lung infections, pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.
Early abnormalities of asbestosis are difficult to detect in a lung X-ray, however, as the disease progresses the X-ray is characterised by a cloudy, ground glass appearance.
Lung cancer of the bronchial tubes, lungs and alveoli can develop after exposure to asbestos. Those who have been exposed to asbestos and who have smoked run a much greater risk of getting lung cancer.
Symptoms of lung cancer include an irritative cough with increasing sputum, followed by blood-tinged sputum, coughing up blood, chest pains and chest infections.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lung lining. It can result from low-level exposure to asbestos and can take 30 to 45 years to develop after initial exposure. It is an aggressive and painful cancer, and sufferers rarely live longer than 12 to 18 months.
A dull, aching chest pain and shortness of breath are the early symptoms, followed by abdominal pain, abdominal swelling and loss of weight.
Inflammation and irritation of outer lining of the lung, the pleura. The pleura stiffens and thickens widely (diffused thickening) or in patches (plaques) and can fill with fluid. This thickening can restrict breathing.
If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos do the following:
As of 1 January 2021 all workplace related diagnoses of asbestosis and mesothelioma must be notified by the medical practitioner to NSW Health who are required to disclose the information to SafeWork NSW. Further information can be found on the NSW Health website under Disease Notification.
Employers of workers who may be exposed to asbestos on the job or those removing asbestos must adhere to the rules and regulations as stipulated in the:
The Codes of practice listed below have been developed by Safe Work Australia to assist PCBU’s to achieve compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act and the Work Health and Safety Regulation.
Importing and exporting asbestos is prohibited under Australian law. The Asbestos Safety and Eradiation Agency (ASEA) is responsible for administering the import and export permission process for the Commonwealth Minister with responsibility for the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Disposal of asbestos waste is governed under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 which falls under the responsibility of the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
There are specific laws about working with asbestos. Below we summarise some of those laws.
Learn about working as a licensed asbestos removalist (including safe removal and disposal of asbestos and personal protective equipment) and how to get licensed.
Asbestos awareness training must be provided to workers who are who are carrying out asbestos removal work of less than 10m2 and/or workers who are at risk of being exposed to asbestos while on the job i.e. electricians, plumbers, bathroom and kitchen renovators
The training must be relevant to the task and must cover:
SafeWork NSW has launched an online asbestos awareness and safety course which will help you meet your training obligations and provide workers the skills they need to stay safe when working with asbestos.
Register today at the TAFE NSW store website.
To remove more than 10sqm of non-friable asbestos or any amount of friable asbestos workers must complete the specified VET course before carrying out asbestos work.
If you're a worker who supervises asbestos removal, there is additional training you need to do. Learn about training requirements for a:
The PPE you will need prior to commencing asbestos removal is listed below and should be worn in this order:
You must get fit tested to ensure your mask fits correctly with proper seals to prevent exposure to asbestos.
When wearing respiratory protection, you need to be clean shaven to ensure a proper seal between your face and mask to protect you from breathing in asbestos fibres.
Asbestos workers with beards, stubble or facial hair, should use a continuous flow positive pressure respirator.
Employers are required by law to provide health monitoring to workers who are at risk of being exposed to asbestos while on the job, prior to commencing asbestos removal work or ongoing asbestos related work. This includes licensed asbestos removalists and assessors who are wearing full personal protective equipment.
Health monitoring should also be provided to workers at regular intervals (at least once every two years) after the worker commences asbestos-related work where there is a risk of exposure to asbestos.
A copy of the health monitoring report must be provided to SafeWork NSW where the report contains:
Notifications of an adverse health monitoring report should be made using the “Notification of an adverse health monitoring report”.
From 1 July 2020, a penalty applies for failure by a business (PCBU) to notify SafeWork NSW of an adverse health monitoring report.
SafeWork NSW recommends that you should always engage a licensed asbestos professional if there is a chance that asbestos may be present. If you are working with asbestos, you need to do the following:
The use of certain tools and equipment on asbestos or asbestos containing material is prohibited.
The following should never be used:
High speed power tools such as angle-grinders, sanders, saws and drills or any other tools or equipment, such as brooms, that can cause the release of asbestos fibres into the air can only be used if:
All tools and equipment used during the asbestos removal process must be decontaminated before being removed from the asbestos removal area. Tools and equipment that can't be decontaminated should be double bagged and sealed in asbestos waste bags before removal.
The bags containing the tools or equipment must remain sealed until decontamination.
More information can be found in the How to safely remove asbestos – Code of Practice.
Although unlicensed removal of asbestos is permitted in certain circumstances, we always recommend engaging a licensed asbestos removalist to remove any amount of asbestos.
Under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017, an employer or self-employed person can conduct a limited amount of asbestos removal work or asbestos related work without a licence involving:
If you do decide to remove less than 10sqm of asbestos yourself then before you start work you must:
If you are not willing or able to commit to any of the above obligations then you should engage a licensed asbestos professional.
See our video section under Resources for important asbestos messages.
Information for property owners and home renovators can be found at www.asbestos.nsw.gov.au
Only registered training organisations (RTOs) with SafeWork approval can deliver asbestos removal, assessor or supervisor training in NSW. Asbestos licence applications will only be considered if training has been undertaken with a SafeWork approved RTO.
Advance Consulting & Training
Unit 4/78 Cahors Road
Padstow NSW 2211
Career Skills Australia Pty Ltd
251 Milperra Road
Revesby NSW 2212
Combined Training and Consulting Pty Ltd
Multiple locations:
Unit 6/116 Russell Street
Emu Plains NSW 2500
Unit 3/22 Reliance Drive
Tuggerah NSW 2259
Note: Combined Training and Consulting is approved to deliver asbestos training courses on-site, statewide.
Class B
Supervisor
Design Learning Inspection Pty Ltd
(trading as DLI Training)
5 Melissa Street,
Auburn NSW 2144
Elbon Consulting
Unit 1/4 Austool Place
Ingleburn NSW 2565
Health and Safety Advisory Service Pty Ltd
Campus 1
19 Pullman Place
Emu Plains NSW 2774
Newcastle Rescue and Consultancy Pty Ltd
Unit 1/6 Pippita Close
Beresfield NSW 2322
Pinnacle Height Safety Pty Ltd
(Trading as Pinnacle Safety and Training)
1/139 Beaconsfield Road
Silverwater NSW 2128
Pinnacle Height Safety is approved to deliver Class B, non-friable asbestos removal training courses on client sites.
Master Builders Association
Multiple locations:
2 Boeing Avenue
Ballina NSW, 2478
Level 1/165 Lambton Street
Broadmeadow NSW 2292
5 Burbank Place
Norwest NSW 2153
1/18 Jambali Road
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
66 Auburn Street
Wollongong NSW 2500
Unit 1/171 Princes Highway
Ulladulla NSW 2539
RTO Safety Training Pty Ltd
211 Woodville Road,
Villawood NSW 2163
Safety Training Academy
14-16 Marjorie Street
Sefton NSW 2162
TAFE NSW
Multiple locations:
Note: Dubbo TAFE Campus is approved to deliver Class B non-friable asbestos removal and asbestos supervisor training courses on client sites.
Note: Wagga Wagga TAFE Campus is approved to deliver Class B non-friable asbestos removal training courses on client sites.
Training Aid Australia Pty Ltd
34/195 Prospect Hwy
Seven Hills NSW
Class A
Class B
Supervisor
Trayn
Unit 3/83-85 Boundary Road
Peakhurst NSW 2210
Businesses, employers and other PCBUs have a general duty to provide information, training and instructions to their workers. Asbestos removal work has specific training and licensing requirements.
If you are an employer or business (or other PCBU) who carries out removal work (or may have contact with asbestos), you must ensure that you and you workers complete asbestos awareness training.
If loose fill asbestos insulation or naturally occurring asbestos is likely to be found at a workplace, you must provide training in how to identify and manage the associated risks and hazards.
You must keep training records while the worker is carrying out the work and for five years after the worker finished. Training records must be readily accessible at the asbestos removal area.
Asbestos awareness training must be provided to workers who are who are carrying out non-friable asbestos removal work of less than 10m 2 and/or workers who are at risk of being exposed to asbestos while on the job, for example, electricians, plumbers, bathroom and kitchen renovators.
The training must be relevant to the task and must cover:
Completion of SafeWork NSW's online Asbestos Awareness and Safety Course will satisfy employer's legal obligation to provide asbestos awareness training to workers who are likely to encounter asbestos on the job.
Information for RTOs to deliver asbestos removal training in NSW can be found on How to become an approved RTO to deliver asbestos training.
A wide range of government agencies provide resources and information for the safe management and monitoring of asbestos. See below for links to guidance material, asbestos networks and videos.
Download the Think twice about Asbestos fact sheet in the following languages
Download posters and flyers about the dangers of pressure cleaning on asbestos roofs in the following languages
| Date of issue | Alert issued |
|---|---|
| 19 June 2023 | Serpentine Rough Gemstones - product recall |
| 20 Dec 2019 | Bunsen Burner gauze mats |
| 24 Oct 2019 | Pool Hinge Gaskets |
| 20 Mar 2019 | Bee Smokers |
For home owners, businesses and volunteers involved in the clean-up of buildings damaged by floods and storms, see how to clean and/or remove asbestos waste after floods and storms.
This is the first of five videos in a series, showing tradies how to manage asbestos safely on the job. This video covers the hazards and risks associated with asbestos and includes images of many asbestos containing materials.
Video 2 - Setting up your asbestos work areaThis is the second of five videos in a series showing tradies how to manage asbestos safely on the job. This video demonstrates how to set up an asbestos work area if you need to work with or remove less than 10sqm of non-friable asbestos.
Video 3 - Personal Protective EquipmentThis is the third of five videos in a series, showing tradies how to manage asbestos safely on the job. This video demonstrates the use of correct personal protective equipment needed, when working with or removing less than 10sqm of non-friable asbestos.
Video 4 - Safe Handling and Controls (Drilling)This is the fourth of five videos in a series, showing tradies how to manage asbestos safely on the job. This video demonstrates how to safely drill into asbestos containing materials.
Video 5 - DecontaminationThis is the final (fifth) video in a series of five, showing tradies how to manage asbestos safely on the job. This video demonstrates how to correctly decontaminate an asbestos work area when working with or removing less than 10sqm of non-friable asbestos.
Lindsay Wall's asbestos warning to tradies.Lindsay Wall was exposed to asbestos as a young tradie and lost his battle with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related disease in November 2019. Remember before you start on the job, asbestos lurks in more places than you think.
Dangers of cladding over asbestosCladding over asbestos sheeting can cause significant damage to asbestos containing material. Watch our safety alert for more advice
Dangers of pressure cleaning asbestos roofsNever use high-pressure water or compressed air on asbestos products and be careful when working on asbestos roofs – they are brittle and you can easily fall through. Watch our safety alert for more advice.
Fit testing for your respiratorTo ensure respirators are protecting you and your workers from breathing in asbestos fibres you must be fit tested. This video tells you about the importance of fit testing and how to go about it.
Asbestos finds in a home prior to demolitionSafeWork NSW Inspector Jason Wall found a number of asbestos containing products which may not be obvious to most people, in this old residential home prior to it being demolished.
How to take asbestos samplesHow to take a sample of suspected asbestos containing material to confirm the presence of asbestos.
Removing asbestos sheeting safelyHow to remove asbestos sheeting safely using different tools.
