Asbestos has been widely used for the construction of buildings and residences because it is a practical and economical solution. However, asbestos poses a severe health hazard becoming a cause for lung cancer and other diseases like mesothelioma or asbestosis. Taking note of the severe health risk the Australian government has banned the production and use of asbestos in the country since 2004.
The ban on asbestos takes care of the current health situation; however, asbestos used in the past continues to pose hazards to the people as well as the environment. To deal with this issue, the Australian government has put in place an asbestos management plan requirement that buildings and workplaces exposed to asbestos must comply with.
What is the Asbestos Management Plan Requirement?
Asbestos management plan requirement is a set of procedures that must be followed by owners of structures and workplaces exposed to this hazardous material. It became essential to have an asbestos management plan as the old buildings and structures deteriorated and dispersed the embedded asbestos in the environment.
Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems for the workers and people living in these structures. Hence certain precautions and steps must be taken so that there is minimal adverse effect on workers and residents using the place.
According to the Australian Asbestos Management Plan, the site manager must have a certified Asbestos Management Plan that is regularly reviewed. The plan must be easily accessible to workers that are specifically involved in asbestos related work, like repairs and maintenance. The Asbestos Management Plan Requirement includes the following:
• Identification of asbestos in the workplace with signs and labels and by maintaining asbestos register.
• The AMP must lay down safe work procedures at the workplace and also stipulate control measures.
• The plan should clearly lay down procedures to be followed in case of accidents or episodes involving asbestos.
• The workers dealing with asbestos must be made aware of the asbestos management plan and must also be trained to handle asbestos related accidents or incidents.
• A detailed plan must be drawn up as to how the risk of asbestos will be managed and what control measures will be put in place.
• An Mr Fluffy inspection Team to be set up under the AMP and responsibility for each member must be fixed.
• The Asbestos Management Plan must create a schedule for periodic air quality survey.
• It should also set up a timetable for the review of the plan and the asbestos register.
• The ‘Asbestos Containing Material – Condition Inspection Report’ must record all repair work identified by the Mr Fluffy asbestos inspection plan. The site manager must initiate such repair work, which must be coded to the asbestos management budget.
It is essential that your business complies with the laws relating to the Australian Asbestos Management Plan Requirements. And, to do that professional companies like JMBEC (http://jmbec.com.au/) will assist you. The company can also provide certified and experienced Air Quality Inspectors and help you with creating a customized asbestos management plan.