Information & Resources
Information Resources
Useful Publications
The following is a list of useful publications made available through various federal, state and local organisations that are available for free online. Please note that many of the publications available through these sites are in PDF format and require you to download the Acrobat Reader to view the files.
Asbestos Awareness Training
Asbestos training for company employees is not a requirement under law therefore Worksafe does not have a list of companies that offer asbestos awareness courses and recommends to check the Internet for listings.
Noel Arnold and Associates (noel-arnold.com.au)
03 9890 8811
Training in their offices or on-site in companies
Course length – 2 hours, but can be extended if a company chooses to hold the training in their own offices.
Cost – $270 per person but discounts apply for groups
ESP – Environmental and Safety Professionals (environet.com.au)
03 9688 8000
Training provided in companies
Course length – 1.5 hours
Cost – Approximately $1,000 for a group of up to 20 people
Asbestos Audits International (qbm.com.au)
1300 783 923
On-line training
Cost – $77 but the training gets cheaper when more people sign up
Alert Force (alertforce.com.au)
1300 627 246
On-line training
Cost – $97 but if more than 10 people sign up – 10% discount
Asbestos in Australia |
Victorian Government Health Information
This Victorian Government Health Information website provides a repository for health-related information generated by the Department of Human Services, its funded agencies and special interest groups. The site is also available for use by government-approved, non-for-profit agencies.
Asbestos Legislation |
Asbestos Diseases Compensation Bill 2008
This Bill was introduced in the Victorian Parliament for an Act to permit the awarding of provisional damages to persons suffering from asbestos-related conditions, to amend the Accident Compensation Act 1985 in relation to actions relating to asbestos-related conditions, to amend the Wrongs Act 1958 in relation to dependants' claims for damages arising from deaths caused by dust-related conditions and for other purposes.
Asbestos Testing & Sampling |
National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)
NATA acts as the national authority for accreditation of laboratories conducting tests, calibrations and measurements in a wide spectrum of technical fields; the national body for accreditation of producers of certified reference materials; and a peak authority for the accreditation of inspection bodies.
Asbestos Removal |
OHS Reps @ Work
OHS Reps @ Work is developed by the Victorian Trades Hall Council's (VTHC) Occupational Health and Safety Unit with the help of WorkSafe Victoria. The website provides health and safety reps with information and advice on how to address and resolve workplace issues.
List of Licenced Removalists
The Victorian Trades Hall Council maintains a list of licensed removalists who have signed an agreement with the VTHC to operate according to a code of conduct. We recommend that any asbestos removal be undertaken by one of the removalists on this list, which is updated every 3 months. All removalists on the VTHC list are licensed by WorkSafe Victoria as required under the regulations.
Important Note: While the VTHC cannot guarantee the quality of the work performed by the listed removalists, the Asbestos Committee monitors their adherence to the Agreement and Code of Conduct and reserves the right to remove a company not complying. If you have any concerns that a removalist on the register has not adhered to any condition of the Agreement or the Code, please contact the Unit on 03 9662 3511.
Asbestos Disposal |
It is illegal to dispose of asbestos waste at other sites, in household rubbish bins, or skips.
Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at facilities licensed by the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to accept asbestos waste. The disposal of waste asbestos, whether from a workplace or household, is controlled by EPA. In addition, EPA controls the transportation of waste asbestos when undertaken by a commercial contractor.
Before taking any waste materials to any of the places listed on the EPA website, it is recommended that you check that the company/site still accepts asbestos waste. Note that there is usually a cost associated with disposing the waste.
The EPA has generated a map of Victorian landfills licensed to receive asbestos to assist in identifying the closest disposal option. Landfills are categorised as domestic (householder DIY), commercial and domestic, and commercial only.
Asbestos in the workplace |
WorkSafe Victoria
WorkSafe Victoria is the manager of Victoria's workplace safety system. WorkSafe Victoria enforces Victoria's occupational health and safety laws, helps injured workers back into the workforce and manages the workers' compensation scheme by ensuring the prompt delivery of appropriate services and adopting prudent financial practices.
Worksafe provides advice and information to help employers and workers understand the risks of asbestos, how to comply with their duties, and resources for managing and removing asbestos in the workplace.
Asbestos - A Handbook for Workplaces explains what asbestos is, where it can be found in workplaces and the health risks for people exposed to airborne asbestos. It also outlines who has legal duties in workplaces and what their main duties are.
Safe to Work
Safe to Work is the community hub for workplace safety in Australia and contains breaking news and feature driven content from the Safety First magazine, as well as job listings, events and supplier directory.
OHS Reps @ Work
Asbestos is still present in many workplaces and buildings built before the mid-1980s. Large numbers of Australian workers are still being diagnosed with asbestos related illnesses, many years after they were exposed.
Workers such as plumbers, electricians and other maintenance workers could unwittingly be working with or around asbestos every day. The OHS Reps @ Work provides a wealth of information for employers and employees.
Asbestos in the home |
Department of Health
The Victorian Department of Health website includes some useful materials, including the enHealth booklet 'Asbestos: A guide for householders and the general public' and links to agencies involved in the management of asbestos related issues.
VTHC Information About Asbestos in the Home
The Victorian Trades Hall Council's (VTHC) provides a wide range of links and resources for the home renovator.
ACT Government
The ACT Government has led the way with legislation requiring the identification and audit of asbestos in domestic dwellings and these easy to follow fact sheets are very helpful.
Asbestos related diseases |
National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases
The National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD) is a research centre funded by the federal government as part of the Government's Strengthening Cancer Care package with measures aimed at prevention, treatment and support for cancer patients and their families.
Their researchers and collaborators conduct world class research into all aspects of asbestos related diseases and cancers.
Cancer Council Victoria
The Cancer Council provides comprehensive information about mesothelioma and launched the Mesothelioma booklet in November 2011.
Mesothelioma and other lung diseases associated with asbestos (PDF)
Virtual Medical Centre
Virtual Medical Centre is Australia's leading medical information website. It delivers the latest medical information written by medical professionals.