Asbestos

The three main types of asbestos are white, blue and brown, used mainly before 1980 in the production of asbestos cement sheeting and piping. Asbestos was also used in the manufacture of vinyl floor tiles, electrical components, brake linings and disc pads.

The disposal of waste asbestos, whether from a workplace or household, is controlled by EPA. In addition, EPA controls the transportation of waste asbestos when undertaken by a commercial contractor.

Further information on asbestos is available in the Industrial Waste Resource Guidelines - Asbestos - Transport and Disposal (This guideline replaces Publication 364.1 – The Transport and Disposal of Waste Asbestos.)

Identification, management, handling and removal of asbestos in a workplace is regulated by WorkSafe Victoria . Please use the Worksafe link to access their ‘Asbestos’ page, useful publications and further information .

Concerns about asbestos in the household should be discussed with local councils or the Department of Health . The department website provides further advice for management of asbestos in the home.

If you have asbestos on your property, EPA recommends you consult a professional removalist (asbestos removalists can be located in the Yellow Pages ). You should ensure that they have a WorkCover licence.  To find a list of permitted transporters that can transport asbestos please use the Prescribed Industrial Waste Database .  Selecting N220 Asbestos as the waste type, or contact the EPA Information Centre.

If you would like to have a sample of material tested for asbestos, contact the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) on (03) 9274 8200.