More than two thirds of audits conducted in an ongoing SafeWork SA asbestos management compliance campaign have resulted in statutory notices being issued.
In the first four weeks of the asbestos registers campaign, SafeWork SA inspectors issued 21 improvement notices across 30 worksite audits.
The 67 per cent of worksites that did not meet compliance with asbestos management is well up on the 58 percent in the 2022 campaign.
The campaign is also supported by a concurrent audit focussing on asbestos management prior to demolition and renovations.
This part of the campaign has so far resulted in 15 licensed asbestos removal sites being visited and another 21 statutory notices being issued, consisting of 10 Prohibition Notices and 11 Improvement Notices.
During the first four weeks of the demolition or refurbishment campaign:
- Two licensed asbestos removalists were immediately suspended on 1and 18 May 2023 for failing to identify and remove asbestos prior to demolition
- Another removalist received a proposal to suspend their licence on 8 May 2023 after multiple non-compliance issues were identified at a removal site.
Working with asbestos requires a high degree of regulatory control and the purpose of licensing is to achieve this.
SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said the high percentage of audits resulting in notices was concerning.
‘Our inspectors will consider issuing expiation notices and taking prosecution action where duty holders continue to breach their obligations of ensuring people’s health and safety is not adversely affected from the risks associated with asbestos,’ he said.
Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world, with approximately 4,000 deaths each year from exposure to asbestos. This is more than double the number of annual Australian road deaths.
The campaign is an action item from the South Australian Asbestos Action Plan (SA AAP) and is one of the national targets of the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019-2023.