When it comes to demolishing older buildings, asbestos removal is a serious concern, as you know very well that asbestos was a naturally occurring material that was banned in Australia in the 1990s. This is because of the dangers associated with asbestos exposure. These days, strict Victorian laws govern the thorough inspection, testing, and removal of asbestos to protect public health. Project developers, constructors, homeowners, and others have to adhere to the Victorian law enforced by WorkSafe Victoria. They comply with legal handling and disposal of the hazardous material.
At Asbestos Victoria, we ensure providing regional asbestos services in VIC to ensure zero risk of legal complications. Read the following article to learn regional Victoria asbestos law and learn how to ensure compliance.
The Legal Obligations for the Asbestos Removal in Regional Victoria
Remember, if you want to avoid rural asbestos removal challenges, it is essential to know which strict laws regulate asbestos removal. Failure to comply with the regional Victoria asbestos laws can lead to unexpected penalties and prosecution. Check out the following laws to make an informed decision:
- Asbestos Inspection Before Executing the Demolition
Are you planning the demolition of an older building? Make sure to conduct a thorough inspection of your building. It can help determine the presence of asbestos material. For this purpose, hire a licensed professional who can use their specialised knowledge to assess the accurate places of asbestos-containing materials. It is worth noting that this procedure is mandatory for all, regardless of your project’s type and size.
- Hire Only Licensed Removalists
Do you know how unsafe it is to hire unlicensed contractors? You may experience legal complications. Therefore, make sure the contractor you engage for this reason is a licensed asbestos removalist. Using their high-end expertise, they can dispose of asbestos safely.
- Notify WorkSafe Victoria
It is important to note that licensed asbestos removalists also comply with legal obligations in Victoria. They need to inform at least five days before beginning the job to the WorkSafe Victoria. This pre-information ensures that licensed professionals will not do anything that will fall in the category of the breach of the law.
- Safe Removal and Disposal
Now that the accurate location of the asbestos has been evaluated, the serious safety protocols for its removal need to be observed. This includes:
- Set up the controlled environment so that there will not be any risk of asbestos fibre bundles spreading.
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure no threat of serious respiratory illnesses.
- Gather asbestos waste in sealed containers. And yes, they should be properly sealed.
- Dispose of this hazardous waste in licensed units.
Note: Remember, the disposal of asbestos as general waste is a serious offence. Hence, make sure you adhere to all strict rules regarding asbestos removal.
- Air Monitoring and Clearance Certificates
Keep in mind that it is crucial to do the air monitoring during and after the asbestos removal. It is a mandatory step to check for the presence of asbestos fibres in the air. Hence, hire a licensed asbestos removal professional to do the air monitoring. With their sophisticated tools, they guarantee the area is safe.
On the completion of the procedure of asbestos abatement, a clearance certificate is issued. This certifies that the area is free of asbestos-containing materials. It is ready for the next residential or commercial build. Without obtaining this mandatory certificate, your renovation or construction project will not be considered legal.
Penalties That You May Need to Pay for Non-Compliance
Make sure you do not fail to comply with asbestos removal guidelines before beginning your renovation or full construction project. Otherwise, you may have to encounter the risk of severe penalties. Some of the most common penalties include:
- Fines: As a homeowner, you may face a fine of up to $30,000, while business people need to pay for big amounts of money on account of the violation of the Victorian law.
- Project Delays: Non-compliance can even lead to delays in the project’s completion.
- Health Risks: Do you know how hazardous it is the improper disposal of asbestos is? It can put you and other people working on the site at risk. Some of the health issues that may start showing their symptoms are the following:
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Mesothelioma
Asbestos removal is a crucial part of a construction project in Victoria. By partnering with Asbestos Victoria, you can ensure zero risk of asbestos exposure during its testing, removal, and disposal procedures. Hence, give us a call today and request a FREE quote. We will give you the most appropriate outback asbestos removal advice.
FAQs
- Where is asbestos most commonly found in older buildings?
Take a look at the following pointers to know the most common places of asbestos in older buildings:
- Vinyl tiles
- Linoleum
- Adhesives used in the flooring
- Internal or external walls
- Ceilings and external cladding
- Pipes and insulation
- Is it mandatory to obtain the clearance certificate before starting the home construction project?
The answer is yes. You need to obtain the clearance certificate before beginning any construction project under Victorian law.