Environmental health notes No. 1 Asbestos––Roles and responsibilities forgovernment Environmental health notes No. 1 Asbestos––Roles and responsibilities for government Department of Human Service Environmental Health Unit Health Risk Assessment and Management Program June 2005 ii Environmental health notes No. 1: Asbestos––Roles and responsibilities for government Acknowledgment The Environmental Health Unit, Department of Human Services, prepared these guidelines with input and advice of the following stakeholders: Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) WorkSafe Victoria City of Moreland Australian Institute of Environmental Health (AIEH) Country Fire Authority (CFA)/Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) Victorian Building Commission (BC). This document has been prepared in good faith, exercising due care and attention. However no representations or warranties are expressed or implied, in relation to the relevance, accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of this document in respect of any particular user’s circumstances. Users of this document should satisfy themselves concerning its application to managing asbestos issues and where necessary, seek expert advice about their situation. The Department of Human Services shall not be liable to any person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this publication. Published by Rural and Regional Health and Aged Care Services, Victorian, Australia, June 2005 © CopyrightState ofVictoria 2005 This publication is copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. This document may be downloaded from the Department of Human Services web site at: www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/ Authorised by the State Government, 120 Spencer Street, Melbourne. Printed by G.T. Graphics Pty Ltd, 34 Stanley Street, Collingwood. Environmental health notes No. 1: Asbestos––Roles and responsibilities for government iii Preface Environmental health looks at factors in our surroundings that may potentially affect wellbeing, and designs ways to manage these factors and protect public health. The Environmental Health Unit, Department of Human Services is developing a series of publications for environmental health practitioners working in local government and other interested stakeholders. Each Environmental health note describes a specific health hazard occurring in and around residential properties. It will provide information and guidance on ways hazards can be managed to protect public health. This is the first publication in this series. It offers an overview of how state and local agencies work together in managing asbestos-related issues and/or emergency incidents involving asbestos. iv Environmental health notes No. 1: Asbestos––Roles and responsibilities for government Contents Preface iii Introduction 1 Asbestos––an overview 2 Asbestos and health 2 Agency roles and responsibilities––an overview 4 Agencies involved in asbestos-related issues 5 State government: WorkSafe Victoria 5 State government: Environment Protection Authority 5 State government: Department of Human Services 6 Local government: Environmental Health Sections of council 6 Agencies involved in emergency incidents with asbestos 7 Country Fire Authority (CFA)/Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) 7 Local government 7 WorkSafe Victoria 8 Environment Protection Authority Victoria 8 Department of Human Services 8 Conclusion 9 Other resources 11 Relevant contacts 12 Appendix 1 Relevant legislation 13 Occupational health and safety legislation 13 Environmental protection legislation 14 Public health legislation 14 Appendix 2 Monitoring asbestos fibres 15 Appendix 3 Asbestos-containing materials 16 Environmental health notes No. 1: Asbestos––Roles and responsibilities for government 1 Introduction In Victoria, a range of legislation covers the safe handling The roles and responsibilities for managing asbestos-related and disposal of asbestos. For the purpose of this issues and emergency incidents are spread across various document, asbestos-related issues are separated into state agencies, as well as local government. In certain two sections: circumstances, a single agency is involved and in others, a •workplace, home or broader environment (air, land number of agencies work together to resolve a problem. For or water) emergency incidents, emergency service agencies get involved in the response phase of the incident and one or •emergency incidents involving asbestos (fires, explosions more other agencies manage the post event issues that or natural disasters). may arise. These guidelines assist officers within government agencies Forall situations involving more than one agency, it is (both state and local) to work together in managing essential that communication, investigation and asbestos-related issues, including emergency incidents management of the issue or incident are well involving asbestos. coordinated. This is to ensure that any potential health In brief, they set out: risks are investigated, to protect both individual and •legislative and non-legislative requirements for dealing community health. with asbestos-related issues •legislative requirements for dealing with emergency incidents involving asbestos •roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in investigating and/or managing: (a) asbestos-related issues (b) emergency incidents (recovery, post event). 2 Environmental health notes No. 1: Asbestos––Roles and responsibilities for government Asbestos—an overview Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals that occur naturally Forms of asbestos in the environment. Asbestos was widely used in Australia Asbestos can be found in two forms––friable (loosely between the 1940s and late 1980s, because of its bound) or non-friable (firmly bound). durability, fire resistance and excellent insulating properties. Friable (loosely bound) asbestos materials When friable asbestos is dry or worked on, it can be Asbestos and health crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand Asbestos can cause health problems when fibres become pressure. Asbestos fibres can then become airborne and airborne and are inhaled. Once inside the lungs, most fibres are more likely to be inhaled, thereby posing a health risk. are removed by the body’s clearance mechanisms. Friable asbestos may be found in: Remaining fibres become trapped in the lungs1 and, in some individuals, result in serious lung diseases •insulation inside old stoves and heaters (asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma) that may develop •industrial-grade insulation in some public or commercial years later. Asbestos fibres can also migrate into the buildings (but not generally in homes). peritoneum (lining of the abdomen), where they may cause Non-friable (bound) asbestos materials peritoneal mesothelioma. Rarely, mesothelioma also develops in other parts of the body (for example, around the Non-friable (bound) asbestos materials are unlikely to heart). Pleural plaques (patches on the outer lining of the release fibres, unless handled in such a way that dust- lung) also occur from asbestos exposure, but are generally containing asbestos fibres are produced––by breaking, not harmful. drilling, grinding or cutting. Generally, non-friable asbestos materials are less risky than friable forms. This form of Asbestos-related disease is generally associated with asbestos may be found in the home. inhaling asbestos over a long time. However, a very small number of people may develop mesothelioma after brief Non-friable asbestos may be found in: exposure. The reason why this occurs is not known, so it is • asbestos cement sheeting (‘AC sheeting’ or ‘fibro’) used always important to keep exposure to asbestos fibres as forwalls and roofing low as possible. • asbestos cement roof shingles, flues and water pipes Formore detailed information about asbestos exposure, •vinyl floor tiles impregnated with asbestos fibre and fibre- related health conditions or diseases, see the enHealth reinforced linoleum backing document Guidelines for the Management of Asbestos in • some old textured paints Non-Occupational Environments’2. •gaskets and brake linings. In relation to Australian asbestos cement products, asbestos fibres were replaced after 1985 with cellulose fibres. Therefore, cement sheeting installed prior to 1985 should be treated as containing asbestos fibres, until proven otherwise. The age of the building or date of renovation work can indicate whether asbestos is likely to be present or not, otherwise the material will need to be 1 Asbestos fibres can accumulate in a person’s lungs over their analysed. For a detailed list of asbestos-containing material, lifetime. This is not from specific activities or exposure situations, referto Appendix 3. but rather a general accumulation of inhaled background fibres. 2A copy will be available on the enHealth Council website shortly http://enhealth.nphp.gov.au. Environmental health notes No. 1: Asbestos––Roles and responsibilities for government 3 Availability of asbestos material Asbestos products were gradually removed from production during the 1980s. Between 1981 and 1983, asbestos flat sheeting was phased out. In 1985, corrugated products (roofing and cladding) followed suit. Asbestos-lined piping was not made after 1987 and in 2003, brake pads and linings ceased to contain asbestos. Even though most asbestos material was phased out of production in the 1980s,