Video 1 – Asbestos Hazards, Risks and Identification

SafeWork NSW
13 Apr 202105:24
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script highlights the dangers of asbestos exposure for tradespeople, emphasizing the importance of asbestos awareness and safe work practices. It explains that asbestos was widely used in construction until the mid-80s and is still present in many materials. Tradespeople are at high risk due to their frequent contact with asbestos-containing materials. The script stresses the need for proper training, health monitoring, and the use of licensed asbestos removalists to ensure safety and prevent the serious health risks associated with asbestos, including life-threatening diseases.

Takeaways
  • 🏗️ Asbestos was widely used in construction materials until the mid-80s due to its affordability, strength, and resistance to fire and water.
  • 🛠️ Tradies, such as plumbers, electricians, and renovators, are at high risk of asbestos exposure because of their frequent interaction with materials that may contain asbestos.
  • 🚫 Asbestos poses a health risk only when disturbed improperly, such as by cutting, drilling, grinding, or sanding, which can release harmful fibers into the air.
  • 🏠 Asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, result in around 4,000 Australian deaths annually, emphasizing the seriousness of asbestos exposure.
  • 👷‍♂️ Workers and their families can be at risk if asbestos fibers are brought home on work clothes, highlighting the importance of proper safety measures.
  • 📋 Employers are legally required to inform workers about asbestos health risks, provide training, and offer health monitoring to those working with asbestos materials.
  • 🔍 Asbestos can be hidden in various materials, including walls, ceilings, roofs, insulation, fire doors, and even in bathrooms, kitchens, and under floors.
  • 🧪 The only way to confirm the presence of asbestos in a product is through laboratory testing at a NATA-accredited facility, which costs between $60 to $100.
  • 💰 The cost of testing and safely removing asbestos by licensed professionals is significantly lower than the cost of remediating a property contaminated with asbestos fibers.
  • ⚠️ Safe Work New South Wales recommends using licensed asbestos removalists for any asbestos removal work due to their specialized training and equipment.
  • 📞 If unsure about the presence of asbestos, it's crucial to consult a licensed asbestos professional before starting work to avoid potential health and financial risks.
Q & A
  • Why was asbestos commonly used in the construction industry?

    -Asbestos was used due to its affordability, flexibility, strength, and resistance to fire and water.

  • What made Australia have one of the highest rates of asbestos use per person in the mid-1980s?

    -Australia's high rate of asbestos use was due to its widespread application in over 3,000 products, especially in construction and residential building industries.

  • Which group of people are most at risk of asbestos exposure today?

    -Tradies, such as plumbers, electricians, bathroom and kitchen renovators, painters, mechanics, building industry workers, home handymen, and floor covering experts, are at the highest risk due to their frequent contact with asbestos-containing materials.

  • Under what conditions does asbestos pose no health risk?

    -Asbestos poses no health risk if it is sealed in a good, stable condition and left undisturbed.

  • What activities can disturb asbestos and potentially release harmful fibres?

    -Activities such as cutting, drilling, grinding, breaking, sanding, or using household vacuum cleaners to clean up asbestos dust can disturb asbestos and release harmful fibres.

  • What life-threatening diseases can be caused by inhaling asbestos fibres?

    -Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause life-threatening diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

  • How many Australians die every year from asbestos-related diseases, and what is the comparison with road fatalities?

    -Around 4,000 Australians die every year from asbestos-related diseases, which is double the number of road fatalities.

  • What are the legal requirements for employers whose workers deal with asbestos?

    -Employers are required by law to advise their workers of the health risks associated with asbestos, provide them with asbestos training, and offer health monitoring.

  • Where might asbestos be hidden in a building that could pose a risk to workers?

    -Asbestos might be hidden in walls, ceilings, roofs, insulation, fire doors, bathrooms, kitchens, under floors, behind or under tiles, in pipes, downpipes, fences, window putty, and mastics.

  • How can one positively identify if a product contains asbestos?

    -A product can be positively identified as containing asbestos by having a small sample tested at a NATA accredited laboratory.

  • What are the recommended actions if you suspect the presence of asbestos in a workplace?

    -If you suspect the presence of asbestos, it is recommended to call a licensed asbestos professional, such as a licensed asbestos assessor, to check before starting work.

  • What are the potential costs associated with asbestos contamination and remediation?

    -The cost of testing a sample and using a licensed asbestos removalist is far less than the remediation costs for a property contaminated with asbestos fibres, which can run into thousands of dollars.

Outlines
00:00
🛠️ Tradie's Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Jimmy, a tradie, discusses the prevalence of asbestos in construction materials until the mid-1980s due to its affordability and durability. He highlights the high risk of asbestos exposure for tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians, and renovators. Asbestos poses a health risk only when disturbed improperly, leading to diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. The importance of being asbestos-aware and following safe work practices is emphasized to protect workers and their families from these life-threatening diseases.

05:00
ℹ️ Resources for Asbestos Safety in NSW

This paragraph provides guidance for tradespeople in New South Wales on how to stay safe when dealing with asbestos. It suggests visiting the Safe Work NSW website for a list of licensed asbestos professionals or calling a specific number for more information. The paragraph underscores the importance of using licensed asbestos removalists to ensure safe work practices and avoid costly remediation efforts due to asbestos contamination.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Asbestos
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that were widely used in construction materials due to their affordability, strength, and resistance to fire and water. In the video's context, asbestos is the central theme as it discusses its historical use and the risks associated with exposure, especially for tradespeople who may encounter it during their work.
💡Tradie
A 'tradie' is a colloquial term for a tradesperson, someone who works in manual occupations such as construction, plumbing, or electrical work. The video emphasizes that tradies are among the most at-risk groups for asbestos exposure due to their frequent interaction with materials that may contain asbestos.
💡Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs)
ACMs refer to any materials that contain asbestos, such as insulation, fire doors, and various construction materials. The script mentions that asbestos was used in over 3,000 products, highlighting the prevalence of ACMs in the construction and residential building industries.
💡Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure refers to the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can occur when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed without proper controls. The video script underscores the health risks associated with such exposure, including life-threatening diseases.
💡Safe Work Practices
Safe work practices are procedures and measures taken to minimize the risk of injury or illness in the workplace. The video stresses the importance of following these practices when dealing with asbestos to protect workers and others from potential health hazards.
💡Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers, leading to lung tissue scarring. The video mentions asbestosis as one of the life-threatening diseases that can result from asbestos exposure.
💡Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, chest, or abdomen, and is strongly associated with asbestos exposure. The video script includes mesothelioma as one of the severe health consequences of inhaling asbestos fibers.
💡Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a malignant lung tumor that can be caused by various factors, including asbestos exposure. The video script mentions lung cancer as another serious health risk for those who inhale asbestos fibers.
💡Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal involves the safe and controlled process of eliminating asbestos-containing materials from a property. The video script advises the use of licensed asbestos removalists to ensure the process is done safely and legally.
💡NATA Accredited Laboratory
A NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) accredited laboratory is a facility that meets specific standards for testing and calibration. The script mentions that to positively identify asbestos in a product, a sample must be tested at such a laboratory.
💡Licensed Asbestos Assessor
A licensed asbestos assessor is a professional who has the qualifications and legal permission to assess the presence of asbestos in materials. The video script suggests calling an assessor to check for asbestos before starting work, emphasizing the importance of professional evaluation.
Highlights

Asbestos was commonly used in construction until the mid-80s due to its affordability, flexibility, strength, and resistance to fire and water.

Australia had one of the highest rates of asbestos use per person in the world.

Asbestos was used in over 3,000 products, many in construction and residential building industries.

Tradies are at high risk of asbestos exposure due to dealing with asbestos in buildings.

Occupations at risk include plumbers, electricians, renovators, painters, mechanics, and building industry workers.

Asbestos poses no health risk if sealed, stable, and undisturbed.

Asbestos becomes hazardous when disturbed without proper controls, releasing fibers into the air.

Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause life-threatening diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

Around 4,000 Australians die every year from asbestos-related diseases.

Unsafe work practices with asbestos endanger workers, co-workers, and anyone coming into contact with it.

Employers are legally required to inform workers of asbestos risks, provide training, and health monitoring.

Asbestos can be found in walls, ceilings, roofs, insulation, fire doors, and many other materials.

Asbestos can also be hidden in bathrooms, kitchens, under floors, tiles, pipes, fences, window putty, and mastics.

Plumbers and electricians may encounter asbestos in pipe lagging, cement pipes, insulation, fuse linings, and conduits.

Asbestos can only be positively identified by testing a sample at a NATA-accredited laboratory.

The cost of testing and using a licensed asbestos removalist is far less than property remediation after contamination.

Licensed asbestos removalists have appropriate training and equipment to work safely.

If unsure about asbestos presence, consult a licensed asbestos assessor before starting work.

Safe Work NSW recommends using licensed removalists for any asbestos removal work.

For a list of licensed professionals or more information, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au/asbestos or call 13 10 50.

Transcripts
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