What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral rock made up of strong fibres that have fire, heat and chemical resistant properties.
While asbestos is now banned from use it was a component of thousands of different products used in the community and industry from the 1940s until the late 1980s. Some uses of chrysotile asbestos products, mainly friction materials and gaskets continued until 31 December 2003.
Asbestos can pose a risk if fibres of a respirable size become airborne, are inhaled and reach deep into the lungs in sufficient quantities. These respirable fibres are a major health hazard and can cause serious asbestos-related diseases that can take decades to become apparent.
The lack of immediate health effects has often meant that victims are unaware of the dangers they are exposed to which means that exposure to the hazard can continue over a long period causing serious health effects.
Due to the health risks associated with asbestos it is essential that exposure is effectively managed. Working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials without appropriate control measures in place increases the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres
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