If you are an employer or business, you are responsible for managing asbestos in the workplace. It is your responsibility to be aware of any asbestos products in the workplace and understand the dangers related to them.

Asbestos was commonly used in Australia in many different products, including fibro, flue pipes, drains, roofs, gutters, brakes, clutches and gaskets.

Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The risk of contracting these diseases increases with the number of fibres inhaled, and the risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibres is also greater if you smoke.

Those who get health problems from inhaling asbestos have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. Symptoms don’t usually appear until 20 to 30 years after initial exposure.

If asbestos fibres are in a stable material, such as fibro, they pose little health risk. However, when the fibro is damaged or disturbed in some way, fibres can become loose and airborne, and pose a risk to someone’s health.

If you are in doubt about asbestos in your work place seek the advice of Central Coast Local Asbestos Removal. We can carry out an inspection and test any suspect materials, and ensure the safe removal of any asbestos found.