You are at significant risk of asbestos exposure if you own a building constructed before the National Asbestos Ban of 2003. According to the CEO of Global Asbestos Audits, 93% of business owners are unaware of the mineral’s presence in the workplace and their legal obligations.
Asbestos poses a danger to human health – such as cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma – so conducting an asbestos management survey is necessary.
As a business owner, you must legally perform a Division 5 asbestos audit. But what exactly is it, and what happens during one? Explore all you need to know in this article.
What is a Division 5 Asbestos Audit?
There are many types of audits for various properties, but when it comes to the workplace, Division 5 audits are necessary. This sort of audit is required by Australian legislation for any building that potentially contains the mineral.
The Division 5 asbestos audit is the first stage in detecting and managing asbestos concerns in the workplace.
Division 5 entails a thorough visual assessment of all accessible rooms, surfaces, and other sections of the structure. Any substance suspected of having asbestos is subjected to non-destructive testing. A professional asbestos assessor strictly carries out the audit.
Following the conclusion of the audit, an asbestos register is created and sent to the workplace’s management and contractors for the formulation of management and removal plans.
Division 5: A Legal Requirement
The Division 5 asbestos audit is proactive by nature, which means it is necessary for all workplaces. As mentioned earlier, this type of audit is mandated by law in Australia.
Division 5 compliance may often deal with inaccessible areas. Regulations state that if there is uncertainty, the assumption is that the site contains asbestos unless proven otherwise. This is called Presumed Positive.
Do note that Division 5 compliance is insufficient for demolition and refurbishment in certain circumstances.
The Process of Division 5 Auditing
- Inspection – a thorough visual assessment of the workplace to detect asbestos residue. In a laboratory, samples are gathered and analysed.
- Analysis – Samples gathered during the examination are forwarded to the lab to determine if the material contains asbestos.
- Asbestos Register – Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) will be detected and registered. The laboratory analysis findings will determine this phase.
If the property returns positive for asbestos-containing materials, the following steps are undertaken:
- Risk Assessment – a risk assessment will be conducted to identify the condition of the ACM, the likelihood of disturbance, and the chance of asbestos fibre exposure.
- Management Plan – Based on the risk assessment, an asbestos management strategy will be prepared, incorporating actions such as enclosure, encapsulation, and removal of ACM.
The inspector shall issue an asbestos clearance certificate after the building has been cleared of asbestos.
Remember that you are legally expected to keep an updated asbestos register every five years, especially if your property has recently undergone ACM removal. If you need a reliable agency to help you with asbestos in your workplace, don’t hesitate to contact Global Asbestos Audits.
