Yesterday, RACCA Australia published an article on NSW Fair Trading providing details on loose fill asbestos insulation (LFAI), their LFAI register and their Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program for the community. Part of this information included FAQs for employees working in LFAI affected homes.
NSW Fair Trading’s FAQs cover various topics and scenarios for tradespeople and other employees working in LFAI affected homes. The FAQs define LFAI, provide links to information on risks of developing an asbestos-related disease and how many NSW homes have been affected, where LFAI can be found in homes, how to check whether a home has been tested for LFAI, and what other materials look similar to LFAI.
The FAQs also provides information for employers on what their responsibilities are to their employees if they are working in an LFAI affected home, and tips for working safely in an LFAI affected home.
The responsibilities that employers have to their employees include but are not limited to ensuring that their employees are trained in identifying and safely handling asbestos and asbestos containing material, and that they are trained in implementing control measures for working with asbestos and asbestos containing material. The information also emphasises that no employees should enter the sub-floor, wall cavities or roof space of an LFAI affected home unless they are a licensed asbestos removalist or assessor. However the information also stated that if there is a requirement to enter these spaces that employers should ask the home owner or occupier if the property contains LFAI and if testing has been done, and have their employees use personal protective equipment.
NSW Fair Trading’s tips for working safely in an LFAI affected home include but are not limited to: engaging a licensed asbestos assessor to assess the risks of disturbing LFAI, avoiding dusty areas, suppressing dust by working ‘damp’, and wearing respirators and ensuring that they fit correctly.
NSW Fair Trading’s FAQs on working in an LFAI affected home can be found and read in full here.
Image provided courtesy of NSW Fair Trading.