Asbestos

This section contain obligations for managers, supervisors and academics-in-charge.

The use of asbestos has been legally banned since December 31 2003. However widespread use of asbestos had stopped from the 1980s. Despite the ban, some imported materials can have asbestos present. As with many buildings built in Australia between 1960 and 1990, Deakin University has a number of buildings containing asbestos. Asbestos was also used in many items of plant and equipment that were purchased during this time. While significant amounts of asbestos have been removed, there are still areas where asbestos containing materials remain.

Asbestos may still be contained in buildings and equipment, commonly in the form of asbestos cement sheet. Health, Wellbeing and Safety maintains and keeps under review an asbestos register listing locations known to contain asbestos. Any identification of asbestos must be reported to the Health, Wellbeing and Safety. It should be assumed that asbestos may be present in any building built before 1990 and possibly up to 2003.

No further purchases or acquisitions of asbestos-containing equipment are to be made at the University except for the purposes of scientific analysis or research. Before any such acquisition is made, a risk assessment is to be carried out after consultation with Health, Wellbeing and Safety.

Asbestos does not present a danger to health unless it is disturbed or is in such a poor state that it can become airborne. Advice is to be sought from IPG as to appropriate disposal methods for asbestos-containing equipment or materials. Health, Wellbeing and Safety is to be informed of any such disposal.

IPG is responsible for the management of asbestos-containing buildings and infrastructure across the University and the management of any work requiring the use of licensed asbestos removalists.