How to Apply for Asbestos Registers and Audits

Tweet

Inhalation of airborne asbestos, a mineral fiber can cause chronic lung disease and cancer. In Australia, the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 have set up certain standards and practice codes to protect workers exposed to airborne asbestos. Accordingly, employers or persons in control of a business undertaking in Australia must comply with these standards by maintaining asbestos registers and conducting asbestos audits in their work premises. What is an Asbestos Register? The asbestos register is simply a document identifying and recording the presence of materials containing asbestos at your workplace. It lists all the identified asbestos as well as assumed sites containing asbestos within the work area. According to the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011, it is mandatory for a person managing the workplace to maintain an asbestos register. However, buildings constructed after 31st December 2003 are exempted from this rule and do not need to maintain an asbestos register. Similarly, if no asbestos has been identified in your workplace or if there is no possibility of there being asbestos in your business premise, you are not required to maintain an asbestos register. The Asbestos Register contains information like the location of the asbestos containing material, its description and type. The register also records the condition of the surface treatment (whether painted or sealed) of the asbestos containing material and the potential risk status of fiber release into the air. Recommendations on the future course of action as regards control of possible release of asbestos fibers or its removal are also recorded in the Airborne lead monitoring. Asbestos Audits It is the duty of the employer to identify the presence of asbestos and assess the risks at the place of work according to Work Health and Safety rules. The process of determining whether asbestos is present in the workplace is known as asbestos audit or asbestos survey. An asbestos audit is conducted by asbestos auditors who will inspect your business premise and identify the location, type and condition of asbestos containing materials. They might take samples for testing; with the permission of the building owner, they might also engage in ‘destructive sampling’. Findings of the asbestos audit are recorded in the Asbestos Register. How to apply for asbestos registers and audits As a person having management control of a work place in Australia, you are obliged to comply with the Code of Practice 2011 to manage and control asbestos in the workplace. Air quality assessments Australia (http://jmbec.com.au) can help you fulfill your obligations. Get tailored quotations suited to your requirements for asbestos registers and asbestos management plans, asbestos audits, asbestos air monitoring and other related services from http://jmbec.com.au. We provide reliable and cost effective risk management services to make your workplace safe for your employees.