Before the national ban in 2003, workspaces were constructed with asbestos. It is present in numerous building components, including insulation, roof tiles, and concrete water tanks.
If you suspect your commercial building has asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), then it would be helpful to conduct a division 6 asbestos audit. Besides ensuring security for you and your workspaces, this audit is mandated under Australian law.
Defining Division 6
The division 6 asbestos audit refers to a specific section in Australia’s Work Health and Safety Regulations. It is crucial in identifying and managing ACMs in a workplace or building.
Division 6 audits are legally mandated prior to demolition or renovation in workplaces with ACMs. This type of audit uses destructive sampling in all areas where activities occur.
Why Should You Conduct a Division 6 Audit?
There are a number of good reasons why conducting the division 6 asbestos audit is crucial to your building, including the following:
Legal Compliance
Australian regulation requires all workspaces and buildings to perform the division 6 asbestos audit. By maintaining compliance with division 6, you ensure your property is safe for use and safe from unwanted legal consequences.
Health Protection
The health risks associated with asbestos are why it was banned a few years ago. When inhaled, asbestos can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
By identifying ACMs immediately, you, workers, and other personnel can avoid exposing themselves to potential airborne asbestos fibres once the ACMs are disturbed during demolition and refurbishment.
Risk Assessment and Management
Audits are paramount to identifying the risks associated with asbestos in the workplace. This includes the location of potential ACMs, the type, condition, and extent.
Understanding these factors is crucial to creating a comprehensive asbestos risk assessment and management plan. This may include containment, encapsulation, and removal procedures.
Maintenance Planning
With an updated audit, you have access to valuable information you can use for maintenance planning. The division 6 makes it easier to create the necessary measures for maintenance or renovation activities to avoid disturbing asbestos-containing materials.
Business Reputation
It can be bad for your company’s image if you are found to neglect to audit your building for asbestos. Not maintaining compliance with division 6 can lead stakeholders to trust your business less, especially on aspects of health.
Take Action Now
Asbestos can bring many debilitating issues if left neglected for too long. Don’t take the risk; contact Global Asbestos Audits for your building’s comprehensive asbestos surveys and audits.
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