{"id":307527,"date":"2021-10-19T13:36:24","date_gmt":"2021-10-19T03:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=307527"},"modified":"2021-11-12T19:15:28","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T09:15:28","slug":"reminder-about-asbestos-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/10\/19\/reminder-about-asbestos-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Reminder About Asbestos Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FLASHBACK: Council workers wearing hazmat suits assess an alleged asbestos incident in Kingaroy earlier this year<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 19, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Workplace Health & Safety Queensland has released details of two incidents in August where it is suspected that asbestos particles were released into the environment using high-pressure water spray equipment.<\/p>\n

In the first, as part of cleaning, sealing and painting at a house residence, a home maintenance business used high-pressure water spray equipment on an asbestos cement roof.<\/p>\n

Asbestos contaminated dust and debris was spread across the yard, in vegetation and on adjoining structures, as well as the driveway and a car.<\/p>\n

Debris also allegedly spread on to a neighbour\u2019s driveway and car, and on to the street and into council drains.<\/p>\n

In a separate incident, a painting contractor appears to have used high-pressure water spray equipment on a roof believed to have asbestos containing material.<\/p>\n

Debris was distributed on parts of the property and two neighbouring houses.<\/p>\n

A Workplace Health & Safety statement reminded residents that Queensland laws prohibit the use of certain tools and work methods when working with asbestos-containing materials as they can generate dangerous airborne asbestos fibres.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is illegal to use high-pressure water spray equipment on asbestos, including asbestos cement roofs, fences and walls. <\/p>\n

High-pressure water spray equipment destroys the binding matrix of asbestos containing material, leaving cement debris and asbestos in the air. <\/p>\n

This results in widespread contamination, putting people\u2019s health at risk.<\/p>\n

A person conducting a business or undertaking has a duty to ensure workers and others are not exposed to the risk of airborne asbestos.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The person with management or control of the workplace must also take all reasonable steps to ensure that any\u00a0asbestos-containing materials have been identified at the workplace.<\/p>\n

If\u00a0 a competent person reasonably believes materials may contain asbestos, then the person with management or control must assume asbestos is present.<\/p>\n