New laws regulating the removal of asbestos from homes by homeowners and Do It Yourself Renovators were introduced on June 18, 2007.
Asbestos fibres are harmful when they are released into the air and breathed into the lungs. Certain safety precautions need to be taken when handling and removing asbestos to protect your health, and the health of your family and neighbours.
Contact the Queensland Health Asbestos Call Centre on 1300 QH INFO (1300 744 636) for information. Any complaints regarding home owners and renovators will be directed to the local Queensland Health Population Health Unit.
Identifying asbestos in the home
You cannot tell if a home contains asbestos just by looking at it. A sample can be taken to be analysed by an accredited laboratory to confirm that it is asbestos. Logan City Council does not offer an asbestos identification service to residents.
If you can answer yes to either one of the below questions, it is likely asbestos containing materials were used in your home.
- Was the building or structure built before 1990? It is even more likely if it was built before the mid 1980s.
- Is the material installed in a location where asbestos containing material was known to be used? Examples are corrugated roof sheeting (known as Super 6) or wall sheeting in "wet areas" like kitchens, bathrooms and laundries.
If there is any doubt you should play it safe and follow the safety precautions.
Safe removal
If asbestos containing material is in your home and is in good condition, the safest option is to leave it alone. It is when the asbestos is damaged or broken that the fibres become airborne and pose a risk to human health.
A person who works with asbestos must take all reasonable measures to minimise the release of asbestos fibres.
Visit Queensland Health for an asbestos information kit or call 1300 744 636 to request a copy.
It is recommended that home owners use an approved specialist removal company to remove asbestos from their home. Companies can be found by searching the yellow pages under "asbestos removal and/or treatment" or "demolition contractors with asbestos removal speciality".
If removal work is being undertaken unsafely by a builder or contractor then the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations are responsible for investigating the complaint. Phone 1300 369 915.
Prohibited activities
The following activities are prohibited by the Public Health Regulation 2005. On the spot fines of up to $750 can be issued for people who continue doing these prohibited activities.
- You must not use a power tool or device to cut or clean asbestos material.
- You must not use a high pressure water process to clean asbestos material for example using a high pressure hose on an asbestos cement roof.
- You must not use compressed air to clean asbestos material.
- You must not remove friable asbestos material. This can only be removed by a business with an "A" Class licence issued by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
- You must not remove more than 10m2 of bonded asbestos material unless you hold a certificate to carry out the removal under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.
Visit Department of Employment and Industrials Relations for information on how to obtain Class A and B licences or phone 1300 369 915.
Asbestos disposal
Asbestos material must be thoroughly wetted down, and then securely double wrapped and sealed in thick black plastic (0.2mm thick) before disposal.
You must label with a warning stating that it contains asbestos and damage to the packaging and dust inhalation should be avoided, e.g. "Caution Asbestos do not damage or open bag".
Waste should be disposed as soon as possible. Broken asbestos should never be left in the open. Asbestos cannot be mixed with domestic rubbish and must be disposed of at the Browns Plains SmartTiP. It cannot be disposed of at any of Council's Transfer Stations. If you are transporting the asbestos yourself make sure that you secure your load.
Asbestos can only be accepted at the SmartTips:
- 7 am - 4 pm, Monday to Friday
- 9 am - 2.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday
You must phone Logan Waste on 3412 4742 at least one hour before delivery.
Alternatively you can use an approved specialist waste removal business.
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