Asbestos used to be widely used in the building industry in Australia with the small fibres being inhaled and leading to different types of lung diseases. Australia started eliminating asbestos use in the 1980s and implemented a total ban on its import, sale, and use in 2003. If you are working in the building industry or renovating your home it's vital for your health to identify these materials as there is no safe level of exposure.

This article will provide you with information about how asbestos impacts on your health, legal obligations and asbestos risk management.

Knowledge on asbestos and your health

Understanding the health risks associated with asbestos exposure is crucial for anyone working in construction, demolition, or home renovations. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, tiny fibres become airborne and can be inhaled. These fibres are not easily expelled from the lungs, leading to long-term health issues such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma—an aggressive cancer with no known cure. Symptoms often take decades to appear, making early awareness and prevention critical. Knowing how to identify potential asbestos-containing materials and taking appropriate precautions can significantly reduce the risk of exposure.

Legal obligations and duty of care

In Australia, strict regulations govern the management and handling of asbestos to protect workers and the public. Under workplace health and safety laws, businesses and individuals responsible for buildings must ensure asbestos is properly identified and managed. If you are an employer, you have a duty of care to provide asbestos awareness training to workers who may come into contact with it. Renovators and homeowners also have legal responsibilities when dealing with asbestos, including following safe removal procedures and engaging licensed professionals where required. Failure to comply with these laws can result in severe penalties, highlighting the importance of understanding your obligations.

Asbestos risk management

Managing asbestos risks involves identifying materials that may contain asbestos, assessing the level of risk, and implementing control measures. This includes conducting asbestos inspections, maintaining an asbestos register for workplaces, and ensuring workers are trained in safe handling procedures. If asbestos needs to be removed, engaging a licensed removalist is essential to prevent airborne contamination. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper disposal methods must also be followed to minimise exposure. Effective risk management not only ensures compliance with regulations but also protects the health and safety of workers and the community.

Elevate your knowledge on Asbestos Awareness Training: what sets Nexa's Asbestos Awareness Course ahead of other RTOs

Studies show that video learning is powerful because they support different learning styles, allow for flexible delivery and allow for further knowledge retention, this why Nexa has developed high quality video training. In Nexa's online Asbestos Awareness course the learning videos simulate real world scenarios and ensure learners understand the dangers and regulations to keep them safe.

Nexa training has developed a unique online Asbestos Awareness Training course encompassing the principles of assessment. Nexa's platform records the student to ensure the validity of the person doing the assessment, the online training is flexible and assesses the student's knowledge, Nexa also encompasses fairness allowing for reassessment when neccessary but not through just assessing the same question but instead helping the student learn further by testing some more of the content.