There are plenty of trades and maintenance workers that may be unknowingly exposed to asbestos going about their work.
Considering that Asbestos was used in more than 3,000 products, it’s not always easy to detect. If you’re not a trained asbestos removalist, there’s a high chance that you’re not even aware of the many types of products that may contain asbestos fibres.
“Asbestos is still found in 1 in 3 homes in Australia, meaning that everyone should know how to properly identify and safely handle products containing asbestos.” Head of SafeWork NSW, Trent Curtin
Thankfully, the NSW government has made a two and a half hour course available for free until June. If you’re a tradie, groundskeeper or maintenance worker, take the opportunity to sign up for this informative course.
This is NOT an asbestos license and will NOT teach you how to safely remove and dispose of asbestos, but it will help you to be more aware of potential risks so that you’ll be able to avoid them and call in licensed professionals.
It’s great to see Safe Work taking proactive steps to help safeguard the thousands people who could benefit.
According to Safework NSW The 2-and-a-half-hour course covers:
- recognising the risk and serious long-term impacts of asbestos exposure
- recognising the roles, responsibilities, and legislation for asbestos related work
- how to determine if asbestos containing material may be present
- identifying asbestos containing materials and hazardous activities that lead to asbestos exposure
- identifying suitable control measures for asbestos and asbestos containing materials (ACM)
- how to safely handle asbestos and ACM
- inspecting worksites and communicating asbestos risks and asbestos controls with an informed perspective.
Find out more or register for the course https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/new-course-to-help-workers-stay-safe-from-asbestos
If you do believe there may be asbestos, get in touch with HTS group for asbestos removal and management.
