Asbestos poses a significant health risk if not properly managed. To address this, Australian states and territories progressively implemented legislation from 2011 making Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking† (PCBUs) responsible for managing asbestos-related risks in workplaces.

PCBU duties:

If asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are present or assumed to be present, PCBUs are legally required to:

• Keep an asbestos register.
• Have an asbestos management plan.
• Train all workers who might work with or encounter asbestos in the identification, safe handling and suitable control measures for asbestos.
• Provide and pay for asbestos health monitoring for workers who remove asbestos or undertake demolition work, or any other work where workers could be exposed to asbestos-related work.
• Where there is no asbestos register, and you suspect there is asbestos at the workplace, arrange for an assessment by a competent person to identify any asbestos present. If found, the person with management or control of the workplace must ensure an asbestos register is prepared and kept at the workplace as outlined in the WHS Model Code of Practice.
• You should use a label to mark where asbestos is, or may be, located to help workers stay safe.

Legal obligation:

If buildings, structures or plant at your Adventist-owned workplace, church or premises were built or installed before 2004, or in Queensland built before 1990, and you are the person with management or control of the workplace, you must ensure an asbestos register is prepared and readily accessible to workers, health and safety representatives and other PCBUs at your workplace.

What you are required do:

• Engage a competent person to identify or assume the presence of asbestos or ACM.
• Maintain an asbestos register documenting the location, condition, and status of any identified or assumed asbestos.
• Develop and maintain a management plan outlining how asbestos risks will be controlled, reviewed at least every five years or when circumstances change.

Talk to us.

Taking action now can help prevent risks that could impact your ministry. RMS may consider co-funding the cost of your site conducting an asbestos audit. To discuss your circumstances, please contact RMS, we’re here to support you.

Download the PDF Factsheet.

† WHS legislation considers the governing body of the congregation, school or entity as a ‘Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking’ (PCBU), and therefore, the governing body has an obligation to ensure compliance with work, health and safety laws.

REFERENCES:

Safe Work Australia (2020). How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace Code of Practice. [online] Available at: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-07/model_code_of_practice_how_to_manage_and_control_asbestos_in_the_workplace.pdf. (accessed 1 April 2025)

Safeworkaustralia.gov.au. (2024). Asbestos | Safe Work Australia. [online] Available at: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/duties-tool/construction/hazards-information/asbestos. (accessed 1 April 2025)

Asbestos registers at the workplace / Guidance material. (2023). Available at: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/Guidance%20material%20-%20Asbestos%20Registers%20Guide%20-%20August%202023.pdf. (accessed 1 April 2025)

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