New safety alert and information sheet published on website

A new safety alert and information sheet from the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) has now been published on our website. 

Some imported mineral sample kits have been found to contain rocks with naturally occurring asbestos and are sold under a variety of names, not always clearly described as containing asbestos. 

Kits and individual stones which contain any of the descriptions listed in the safety alert for asbestos in educational mineral sample kits and stones that have been purchased should be treated as containing asbestos, withdrawn from use and disposed of safely. 

The latest information from HWSA also warns of an increase in asbestos being detected in imported prefabricated buildings. 

With importation of prefabricated buildings into the Australian housing market increasing, importers of these products must remain vigilant, undertake adequate supply chain risk management processes for asbestos and ensure they obtain valid documentary evidence of no asbestos content.

The information sheet on asbestos in prefabricated buildings can be accessed here.