What not to do when removing asbestos!

At the Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Association of Australia (AMAA) we very disappointingly hear stories such as the following:

A local handyman in Queensland has been fined $3,000 for removing almost 37 square metres of asbestos from a Paddington home without holding a removalist licence, using a wrecking bar to remove the asbestos in an unconstrained manner and for disposing of the asbestos unsafely.

The court heard that in July 2019 the defendant responded to an Airtasker advertisement for asbestos removal at the Paddington house. He then claimed to be an accredited asbestos removalist.

Allegedly the asbestos waste was loaded directly into the back of a Ute and was not sealed or contained. Samples taken from the remains of internal walls from the house all apparently contained non-friable asbestos

The man did plead guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to three breaches of Queensland’s work health and safety laws. The breaches included unlicensed asbestos removal and failing to ensure asbestos waste was securely contained and labelled before it was removed.

The man was fined $3000 plus court and asbestos testing costs by Magistrate Coates, who noted the extremely high risks associated with asbestos.

Always make sure you get the services of a licensed Asbestos removalist!

Any questions contact the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) on: 1300 326 148 or asbestossafety.gov.au or the Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Association of Australia (AMAA) on 1800 017 758 or info@asbestosassociation.com.au