Asbestos management

1. Asbestos management Jan Bowman Manager Environmental Health Dept of Human Services

3. Issues: uniform approach to managing asbestos information to advise the public the skills to manage media issues

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6. Publications Environmental Health Notes No. 1 Asbestos- Roles and responsibilities for government Environmental Health Notes No. 2 Guidelines for local government on asbestos DHS has recently developed two documents to assist local government with the management of asbestos issues.DHS has recently developed two documents to assist local government with the management of asbestos issues.

7. Outlines the legislative responsibilities of local government, EPA, WorkSafe Victoria and DHS Environmental Health Notes 1: Asbestos - Roles and responsibilities for government guidelines

8. Who�s responsible??? the nature/ setting of the event will determine which agency is to manage the asbestos issue in an emergency it will need the cooperation of a number of agencies

9. WorkSafe In brief WorkSafe roles and responsibilities are clearly established in the Occupational Health Safety (Asbestos) Regulations 2003. This matter is to be discuss in depth later in the seminar.In brief WorkSafe roles and responsibilities are clearly established in the Occupational Health Safety (Asbestos) Regulations 2003. This matter is to be discuss in depth later in the seminar.

10. EPA transportation of industrial and commercial asbestos waste licensing of landfill sites able to receive asbestos waste pollution / remediation of land contaminated with asbestos This matter is also to be discussed in depth later in the seminarThis matter is also to be discussed in depth later in the seminar

11. Local Government manage asbestos issues in non occupational settings Homes Public halls Public land

13. Managing asbestos issues. nuisances provision of the Health Act 1958 a nuisance may occur as a result of dust being generated from an asbestos containing material The legal perspectives of what is a nuisance is to be discussed after lunch.The legal perspectives of what is a nuisance is to be discussed after lunch.

14. Examples of asbestos issues managed by LG removal of asbestos by a homeowner dumped asbestos on public land asbestos in poor/ unsafe conditions community concern regarding asbestos transportation and disposal of asbestos by a homeowner

15. Conducting an investigation Environmental health notes No. 2: Guidance for local government on asbestos provides information and guidance for LG investigate asbestos nuisance complaints using the principles of health risk assessment

17. Risk assessment Identify the issue why the caller thinks asbestos material is involved Hazard assessment What activity is occurring and where? Exposure assessment Is it likely members of the public are being exposed? Only an analysis report can determine for certain if the material contains asbestos or not.Only an analysis report can determine for certain if the material contains asbestos or not.

19. Is a site visit required? Generally, if answering yes or unsure to the following questions an on site assessment should be considered as it may be a public health risk: is asbestos containing material involved? is the site not a workplace? is dust being created through incorrect work practices? Are people being exposed to the dust or is there potential for people to be exposed?

20. Risk characterisation & management-High Risk characterisation Asbestos material present Dust visible Potential for people to be exposed to asbestos material Risk management Cease work and Serve Health Act Nuisance Notice Eg. 1970s AC sheeting extension being demolished by home owner. No precautions taken. Dust is visible. Neighbours concern of being exposed to asbestos dust.Eg. 1970s AC sheeting extension being demolished by home owner. No precautions taken. Dust is visible. Neighbours concern of being exposed to asbestos dust.

21. Risk characterisation & management - Medium Risk characterisation Asbestos material is present Work practices and precautions are poor Potential for dust emissions and people are present Risk management Work to cease until correct work practices are being implemented Educational material to be provided Consider serving a Health Act Nuisance Notice Eg. Complaint received by a resident concerned that the asbestos shed to being removed with no precautions being taken. Dust is not visible however there is potential for dust to be created as the homeowner is unaware that the material is asbestos. Eg. Complaint received by a resident concerned that the asbestos shed to being removed with no precautions being taken. Dust is not visible however there is potential for dust to be created as the homeowner is unaware that the material is asbestos.

22. Risk characterisation & management - Low Risk characterisation Asbestos material present Good work practices and People unlikely to be exposed to dust Risk management No action required Consider providing further educational material. Complaint received building demolished as described in the asbestos in the home booklet. No dust visible. The high risk is low. Complaint received building demolished as described in the asbestos in the home booklet. No dust visible. The high risk is low.

23. Risk Communication provide information to public even if the risk assessment indicates that the risk to public health is small AC cement sheeting found in a park; risk assessment may indicate a low risk to public health however community outrage may be great if not managed correctly Inform the person that you will have the material collected immediately however reassure the person that the presence of asbestos material is unlikely to be a health risk as asbestos fibres are tightly bound together Inform the person that you will have the material collected immediately however reassure the person that the presence of asbestos material is unlikely to be a health risk as asbestos fibres are tightly bound together

24. Conclusion