Hessian carpet underlay

If you have exposed underlay or you’re planning to disturb carpet laid before 1980, and you’re concerned that asbestos may be present, WorkSafe recommend having it tested by an accredited laboratory, and that if it does contain asbestos is should be removed by a Class A Removalist. This can be expensive, but there is no other way to guarantee that you and your family and/or friends are not exposed to asbestos fibres. Unfortunately is is simply not an option for many of us, so the best thing is to avoid the material and try to seal any exposed areas as best you can. This writer has “sealed” the ragged edges of her old carpet and underlay with gaffer tape, however if your problem is more difficult to solve, contact us and we will try to provide the best advice.

To see the WorkSafe Alert, click the link below.

Asbestos Bags Used as Carpet Underlay

A (non member) contractor was recently investigated by WorkSafe because they had apparently provided “in house” training for their employees, however when the relevant workers knowledge of the work they were conducting was informally tested, it was found to be inadequate.

Ideally, workers engaged in asbestos removal should undergo accredited training provided by a Recognized Training Authority, so that it can be easily verified that they have the appropriate knowledge and skills for the job. Refresher training should be provided at least annually for Class A removalists and every 2 years for B Class removalists.

The Code specifies that the training should include

• the nature of the hazard

- how asbestos can affect a persons health

- the added dangers of smoking

• the risk from exposure to airborne asbestos fibres

- appropriate controls

- what methods and equipment will do the job properly

- how to choose, use and look after personal protective equipment

- decontamination of persons, equipment and work area

- waste disposal

- emergency procedures

• maintenance of controls

• what the law requires

The Code also requires that records of training be available at the workplace for each person engaged in asbestos removal work.

Asbestos removal is a serious business and it is critical that it is done in the safest possible way. Without adequate training mistakes can be made that can have tragic consequences, not just for the person involved, but for others who could be exposed as a result.

The two directors of the multinational company Eternit, Swiss millionaire Stephan Schmidaeiny and the Belgian Baron Louis De Cartier, are being charged over the death of almost 2,200 people and over 700 ill. They are being charged with the deaths tied to the use of asbestos in manufacturing in four Italian enterprises.

The main Counts are intentional environmental disaster and failure of voluntary safety standards.

It is the first time in Europe that in a trial for environmental damages the civil parties will be represented by an international coalition: together with the lawyers of the CGIL (Italian peak union council), there are lawyers from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany.

Also participating in the hearing will be some foreign delegations, including a group of miners from the French union CFDT.

In court during the first hearing were 150 lawyers and associates, 110 journalists, 424 victims of asbestos diseases or their relatives, and representatives from 48 institutions, including administrators and the mayors of the municipalities affected by the disaster.

The hearing will continue on January 25. It is possible that the contingent of eight lawyers representing victims will increase to include representatives of victims from Spain and Brazil. Eternit factories in Brazil are still in operation, while those in Spain have been closed.

One of the current lawyers said their aim was to demonstrate that Eternit had a single director for health and safety in all countries. They are also claiming that among other things, the company for many years “recycled” production waste in the streets and infrastructure of the surrounding neighbourhoods in order to avoid appropriate disposal.

I don’t see why individuals shouldn’t be held responsible here. The James Hardie compensation isn’t likely to be adequate – and while we’re at it, we could get some money to help remove the enormous amount of asbestos that’s still in our environment.