Does your fibro contain asbestos?
The most accurate way to find out if your fibro contains
asbestos is to have a licensed asbestos removal conractor
inspect and test it. You can't tell by looking at it.
Only fibro products made before 1987 contain asbestos.
In NSW, for example, the use of asbestos was
discontinued in fibro sheets by 1982, in corrugated
sheets by 1984 and in all other products by 1986.
The manufacture and use of asbestos product was
banned nationally from 31 December 2003.
What else is made of asbestos cement?
Products made from asbestos cement not only include
fibro sheeting (flat and corrugated), but items such as
water, drainage and flue pipes, roofing shingles and
guttering.
What are the risks?
Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung
cancer and mesothelioma. This does not automatically
mean that your health is at risk if you find that your
home or workplace is made from fibro products. Studies
have shown that these products, if in sound condition
and left undisturbed, are not a significant health risk. If
the asbestos fibres remain firmly bound in a solid cement
sheet or structure, generally you do not need to remove
the fibro or even coat it.
Health problems usually occur when people are unaware
of the hazards of working with fibro. The important point
is to always work so there's minimal release of dust or
small particles from asbestos material. If you use
commonsense and follow safety guidelines, working with
fibro products should not be a problem.
Safety checklist:
- Do not use power tools. Asbestos fibres can be
released if power tools are used for anything other than
the removal of screws.
- Do not waterblast or scrub with a stiff broom or brush.
It is illegal to waterblast asbestos-cement sheets. If the
material has been accidentally waterblasted or has
suddenly deteriorated in some way, you should call a
licensed asbestos removal contractor.
- Wet gently with water. When removing fibro sheets,
wet gently with water, whenever possible, to minimise
any release of fibres. Remember do not waterblast. Be
careful when on roofs, as asbestos sheets are brittle
and slippery when wet.
- Avoid drilling and cutting into asbestos products. Do
not drill holes through eaves, flues or vents, as these
may also be asbestos products. Never cut into a fibro
sheet. Instead remove the entire sheet and replace it
with a non-asbestos product.
- Let people know. Talk it over with those who may be
affected by the removal and disposal of your fibro, such
as neighbours.
- Cover up. You should wear disposable overalls and an
appropriate dust mask if you are working with
asbestos products. Make sure your mask has two
straps to hold it firmly in place. Don't use masks that
only have one.
- Don't drop fibro sheets. Remove asbestos sheets
carefully. Lower, don't drop them to the ground with
minimum breakage.
Cleaning up
- Stack and wrap. Stack fibro sheets carefully on ground
sheets, wrap into bundles for disposal or place directly
into bins that have been prelined with plastic sheeting.
Cover the load before disposal.
- No skidding. When stacking sheets, do not skid one
sheet over another, as this will cause release of fibres.
- Remove immediately. Do not leave sheets lying
about where they may be further broken or crushed
by people or vehicular traffic. Remove all asbestos
waste as soon as you can.
- Clean up everything. Put used disposable overalls
and masks in bags for removal with other asbestos
wastes.
Safe disposal
Dispose of all asbestos waste promptly. For safety
reasons always:
- Dampen all asbestos waste and wrap in plastic, or
put in lined bins or vehicles. Do not put asbestos
waste in domestic garbage bins or compactors
because it is illegal to do so. Remove all asbestos
waste from a site as soon as possible.
- Dispose of asbestos waste in a manner and at a site
approved by your local council or the appropriate
disposal authority. (See Help and advice section
below). It is illegal to re-use asbestos products.
Other things to keep your eye on
Hail damage to your roof or any asbestos cement product
can be as bad as waterblasting. Call a licensed asbestos
removal contractor immediately if the hail was heavy.
See Help and advice section below for contact numbers.
Watch for weathering. Surface weathering can lead to
the release of asbestos fibres from roofs. Weathered
asbestos products can release fibres when disturbed,
such as in the removal of an asbestos roof or gutters.
Fire damage. Fire damaged property containing asbestos
product could result in loose asbestos fibres due to
intense heat. A licensed asbestos contractor must be used
for cleaning up.
Keep guttering (and downpipes) in good repair. As
asbestos fibres collect in gutters after heavy rain,
guttering and downpipes should be in good repair on
buildings with asbestos roofing. Downpipes should not
run into garden beds. Wet clean and seal roof gutters
before removing them.
What about insulation? Insulation materials in house
roof spaces are usually fibreglass, rockwool, paper or
foam. Very few houses in NSW have loose asbestos
insulation in the roof space.
When to coat asbestos products
Coating fibro products is not recommended. You should
only coat fibro products if they're in sound condition and
then only to waterproof them. Do not waterblast fibro.
Remember:
Risks associated with installed, undisturbed asbestos
products are small. Even weathered asbestos roofing
does not release many airborne fibres unless the material
is either disturbed or handled in a way that promotes the
release of fibres.
Coating is not considered necessary on health grounds.
Surface coatings, however, can extend the life of asbestos
products and may improve their appearance. Special
sealants only should be used on asbestos material, as
ordinary paints do not bond well to the surface of
weathered asbestos cement products. Seek professional
advice and use a professional painter, where possible.
Check if your asbestos roofing needs to be replaced.
Roofing that has weathered to the point where it is
structurally unsound and no longer waterproof should be
replaced.
If you decide to coat your roof, put planks down so that
people do not have to walk directly on the roof. Use a fall
protection system to prevent persons falling from the roof
edge or through the roof.
Wear dust masks and overalls when working.
HELP AND ADVICE
For a listing of licensed asbestos removal contractors in
your area, refer to your local telephone directory or the
Yellow Pages.
For advice on the transport and disposal of asbestos
products in NSW, contact the Department of Environment
and Conservation Pollution Line on 13 15 55 or your
local council.
For advice on working with asbestos or fibro or who can
be contracted to remove it contact the WorkCover
Assistance Service on 13 10 50 or visit the WorkCover
website at www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.
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