SafeWork SA has released a report following compliance audits on asbestos removal practices.

The authority says that the largest areas of non-compliance identified during the campaign were related to respiratory protection equipment (RPE) not being fit-tested on workers, and workers not being provided health monitoring.

South Australia is a signatory to the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness 2019-2023 (the NSP). The aim of the NSP is to eliminate asbestos-related diseases in Australia by preventing exposure to asbestos fibres.

SafeWork SA’s records for asbestos related interventions during 2020 registered 359 concerns raised by workers and the public. 

This information and audit findings were used to compile the Asbestos Activity 2020 Health and Safety Snapshot (available here in PDF form).

Inspector visited almost a third of all licensed asbestos removalists, and took action including the cancellation of a class B asbestos removalist licence and the suspension of a licensed asbestos assessor.

SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell, says the licence holders who failed to meet their obligations, particularly with respirator fit testing, placed their workers at serious risk.

“The negative health impacts associated with inhaling airborne asbestos fibres are well known and continued non-compliance towards their removal workers may lead to licence suspensions, cancellations or prosecution,” he said.

“The results are disappointing as licensed asbestos removalists should have a sound understanding of the asbestos legislation and related codes of practice.”