Question: Our fire doors have been identified as containing asbestos. Who enforces remediation?
In our strata complex, we had an asbestos incident with our fire doors. They tested positive for asbestos. We’ve found enforcement a problem. Safe Work New South Wales were only interested while the tradesperson was there. As it is no longer classed as a workforce, they are not concerned about remediation.
We found that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) was only interested in any public property areas and Council was only interested in council areas. How is it possible to enforce remediation?
Answer: Engage a hygienist to formulate a remediation action plan.
If you engage a hygienist they normally formulate a remediation action plan and the safe removal of asbestos and identify the areas. The hygienist will recommend whether air monitoring is required. Once they have provided identification and a scope of work to have the asbestos removed, they also need to notified SafeWork New South Wales.
Once the remediation works are complete, it needs to be signed off by that hygienist to confirm it is safe and asbestos has been removed. The hygienist will confirm it is safe to reoccupy.
This post appears in the April 2022 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Ryan Richards
Sedgwick
E: Ryan.Richards@au.sedgwick.com
P: 1300 735 720
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