Asbestos Banned From New Year
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/
December 3, 2003
NEW rules banning the use of asbestos and materials containing asbestos come into force from next month, Australia's occupational health and safety body warned today.
It will become illegal under the laws of each state and territory to store, sell, install or re-use any products containing asbestos after December 31, the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) said.
Automotive brake pads and gaskets containing asbestos would also become illegal.
The changes to the use of asbestos were announced two years ago, an NOHSC spokesman said.
The ban will not apply to asbestos products and materials that are already in place, but once they are replaced, non-asbestos alternatives must be used.
Also, any stockpiles of asbestos-containing products must be safely disposed of in line with applicable state and territory regulations, the NOHSC said.
Each year hundreds of Australians die from asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
There was no known safe level of exposure to asbestos, the NOHSC said.
National codes of practice for the safe removal of asbestos and on measuring the amount of airborne asbestos were currently being revised.
A new code of practice providing advice on managing and controlling asbestos-containing materials in workplaces was also being developed
*** POSTED DECEMBER 8, 2003 ***