Asbestos

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• Asbestos
  • What is asbestos?
  • What are the possible health effects of asbestos?
  • Is it dangerous?
  • The two types of materials containing asbestos
  • Asbestos in carpet underlay
  • Do I have material containing asbestos in my house
  • Where could I find materials containing asbestos?
  • Some common questions answered
• For Home Renovators
  • Things you need to know before every job
  • Working safely with asbestos
  • Disposing of asbestos waste
  • New Asbestos Laws
• For Local Governments
• For Workplaces and Businesses

Asbestos laws for homeowners, renovators and owner builders

From 18 June 2007, specific asbestos laws apply to homeowners, owner builders and Do It Yourself renovators.

These laws are to protect you, your family and your neighbours from possible health risks caused by  asbestos during renovation and building work. 

Important changes include:

1. If you are removing 10 square metres or more of asbestos, you will need to get an asbestos removal licence or employ someone with one
2. Safety precautions must always be taken when working with asbestos
3. Asbestos waste must be immediately double wrapped or double bagged in thick plastic, sealed with tape and labelled with an appropriate safety warning
4. Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a council approved site as soon as possible
5. Asbestos must never be cleaned with high pressure water cleaners, compressed air or cut with power tools (eg. circular saws, sanders, angle grinders)
6. Removed asbestos must never be stored, sold or given away.

A copy of the  laws (Public Health Regulation 2005) is available from the Queensland Legislation website.