Asbestos is a natural mineral used in various building products due to its strong, flexible, and heat-resistant fibres. Asbestos is however a carcinogen that can cause lung diseases and cancers when inhaled, therefore proper management of asbestos-containing materials is essential to prevent these health risks.
In 2022 the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) was asked to provide advice on managing asbestos in recovered fines, the residue remaining after all recyclable construction waste material has been removed from skip bins and other recovered materials.
The review highlights the importance of a comprehensive, risk-based approach to managing asbestos. By focusing on reducing and eliminating asbestos at all stages, including source separation, better outcomes can be achieved for managing asbestos in recovered fines and materials.
9 recommendations were made in the report:
1. Coordinated Risk-Based Approach: Implement a comprehensive, risk-based approach to managing asbestos in recovered materials.
2. Threshold for Asbestos: Set a threshold for asbestos in recovered materials for reuse, based on WA’s guideline, ensuring no visible Asbestos containing material and asbestos below 0.001% w/w.
3. Guidelines for Sampling and Analysis: Develop guidelines for material acceptance, inspection, sampling, and analysis.
4. Updated Standards: Update construction waste management standards to include a risk-based approach, adopting WA’s guideline.
5. Pilot Program: Consider a staged pilot program to design, test and validate the recommendations.
6. Consistent Approach Across Jurisdictions: Engage with other jurisdictions to work towards consistent legislation and outcomes in managing asbestos.
7. Support for Source Separation: Provide stronger support for better source separation at demolition sites, including training and competency for workers handling asbestos.
8. Emerging Technologies: Stay aware of and support the development of new technologies for asbestos detection.
9. Competency-Based Training: Develop national competency-based training for the waste industry.
Refer to the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Report ….
https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/independent-reports/asbestos-management
For more information on asbestos assessment and management, contact the RiskTech team on 02 8745 2000.