An asbestos register is an important workplace safety management tool that keeps track of the type, location, condition, and date of identification of all materials in the workplace, including asbestos or asbestos-containing material (ACM).
Asbestos can be found in older structures in materials such as cement sheeting, cladding, and insulation. When asbestos is disturbed during servicing, maintenance, renovation, or demolition, humans are exposed to airborne asbestos fibres, which can lead to life-threatening illnesses like asbestosis.
In this blog, we discuss the importance, creation and storage of Asbestos Registers at workplaces.
Asbestos Register
An asbestos register is a tool for workplace safety management that keeps track of the location, condition, type, and date of identification of all materials in the workplace:
- Recognised as asbestos or asbestos-containing material (ACM), including asbestos or ACM that may be present on occasion.
- Presumed to contain asbestos.
- Likely to contain asbestos but not accessible for sampling and testing (e.g. location is sealed or material cannot be tested, such as a fire door).
Importance of Asbestos Registers
Asbestos registers are required by the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, which are enforced in all jurisdictions in Australia.
It is mandatory for workplaces established before 2004, or prior to 1990 in Queensland, to ensure accessibility for employees, health and safety representatives, and other PCBU.
When planning asbestos-related servicing, maintenance, refurbishment, or demolition work, employees, health and safety representatives, and contractors must be provided with the asbestos registers.
A person having management or control over the workplace must guarantee that an asbestos register is developed and kept on site. He or she may be:
- A PCBU (person conducting business or undertaking) is responsible for a commercial building and associated plant, even if not occupying it, with control over maintenance and refurbishment.
- A PCBU occupying a commercial building under a lease, with the extent of control determined by the lease terms.
- A PCBU assigned management or control of a workplace, such as a commercial property manager.
Creating an asbestos register represents a critical initial stride in preventing exposure to hazardous asbestos fibres.
Elements of Asbestos Register
A good asbestos register should document all asbestos and ACM in the workplace, including their identification date and probable future presence, and should be simple to comprehend for anybody who needs to know their location in the workplace.
It should include:
the date the asbestos or ACM was found or considered to be present, including asbestos or ACM that is expected to be present from time to time (e.g., survey data or test findings from a NATA-recognised laboratory)
- the type of asbestos found.
- the state of the asbestos or ACM.
- a description or location of where the asbestos or ACM can be located in the workplace.
Furthermore, the presence and location of asbestos and ACM should be noted on site drawings and available to anybody who needs to know.
Photographs
Include labelled images of detected asbestos and ACM in the register to help in visual identification and confirmation of their location.
Asbestos Management Plan
The asbestos register of a business is an essential component of your workplace’s documented Asbestos Management Plan. If asbestos or ACM has been detected or is suspected to be present in your workplace, you must have an Asbestos Management Plan created.
Business owners must consult with employees and their representatives as a PCBU while developing an Asbestos Management Plan. This includes giving them the opportunity to contribute to the Asbestos Management Plan’s decision-making process.
Signs and Labels
Clear signs and labelling are essential for successfully communicating the presence of asbestos and ACM in the workplace. Place labels at known or suspected asbestos locations, and save information in an asbestos register for convenient access. In addition, signs can offer directions.
Ease of Access to the Asbestos Register
The asbestos register must be accessible to anyone who needs to know the location of asbestos and ACM in a building, structure, or facility, including employees, health and safety officials, and PCBUs.
It is also important that everyone who uses the asbestos register understands the information. Hence, the asbestos register should be documented in a simplified language.
Storage of Asbestos Register
1) Online Storage
Online storage of asbestos registers allows numerous users to access and update real-time information, with frequent backups and data security safeguards in place to avoid loss or unauthorised access.
2) Local Server
Storing the asbestos register on the workplace’s local server network allows numerous people to view it at the same time. You may need to copy, print, and distribute the material with others who do not ordinarily have access to your local network, such as contractors.
3) Paper Copy
Small businesses can handle asbestos registers with paper copies, but these can be damaged, misplaced, or destroyed, and version control can be difficult.
Competent Person
To create an asbestos register, a competent person must inspect your workplace to detect asbestos and ACM. They should consult the business owner and employees, take careful notes, and collaborate with duty holders and health and safety officials. Even if the survey discovers no asbestos or ACM in a workplace built before 2004, an asbestos registry must still be created.
A competent individual is someone who, via training, credentials, or experience, has the knowledge and abilities to detect asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM). They can comprehend the use of asbestos in construction, identify asbestos, handle samples, test them, and assess their condition. Occupational hygienists, licenced asbestos assessors, and those recognised by the National Association of Testing Authorities are examples of competent individuals.
Timeline to Review Asbestos Register
Businesses must review and update their asbestos register at least every 5 years, or whenever:
- The Asbestos Management Plan for your workplace is reviewed.
- Additional asbestos or ACM is identified at your workplace.
- Previously identified asbestos or ACM is removed, disturbed, sealed, or enclosed at your workplace.
- Refurbishment or demolition work is planned.
- The plan is no longer adequate for managing asbestos or ACM at the workplace.
- A health and safety representative requests to review the Asbestos register of an organisation.
- A qualified individual should conduct a visual inspection of the asbestos and ACM.
Furthermore, organisations should inspect ageing asbestos-containing materials (ACM) on a regular basis to avoid fibre release due to degradation. As part of safety management, schedule yearly visual inspections and keep your asbestos register up to date.
Additionally, when planning to relinquish management or control of the workplace, such as when selling the building, the business owner must ensure that the asbestos register is transferred to the new person who has management or control of the workplace. When transferring management and control of the workplace, update the register with the new workplace owner/manager’s contact information if you have it.
Contact us today for assistance at 1300 802 163 or e-mail – sales@anitechgroup.com
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