Asbestos Kit

Asbestos Kit Launch
Anyone in the Latrobe City community planning to remove a small amount of dangerous asbestos material as part of a home renovation, can now do so in relative safety following the launch of the ‘Asbestos in the Home Removal Kit’. Asbestos was used in the Australian building industry between the 1930’s and late 1980’s, and in the brakes, clutches and gaskets of many cars. The most commonly found household building materials that contain asbestos are asbestos-cement products (also called ‘fibro’ and AC sheeting). Other places where asbestos can commonly be found include cladding, textured walls and imitation brick, around hot water pipes, gaskets around ovens and stoves, under lino and as backing in tiled areas such as in bathrooms and toilets. Many people exposed to asbestos fibres have developed asbestos-related lung disease, such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma after inhaling microscopic asbestos fibres. GARDS Secretary, Vicki Hamilton, said the ‘Asbestos in the Home Removal Kit’ was believed to be an Australian first. “I have been informed through reliable sources that there has been nothing like this available in the whole of Australia” The kit provides the necessary equipment and knowledge to safely handle asbestos during the removal, packaging, transport and disposal operations for a small domestic job by the householder. It includes a professionally produced 11 minute DVD, demonstrating how to properly use the personal protective equipment and how to safely remove and package asbestos.	The kit has been developed by the Latrobe Asbestos Management Committee, with funding from the Department of Human Services and Latrobe City Council. The committee includes representatives fromEPA Victoria, Gippsland Asbestos Related Disease Support Group (GARDS), Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, WorkSafe Victoria and the Victorian Waste Management Association. The kit was launched on March 22nd at the Moe Town Hall by MLC for Eastern Victoria, Mr Matt Viney, representing the Minister for Health, the Hon. Bronwyn Pike. Also at launch, the State Coroner, Mr Graeme Johnstone, said that since 2004, when his office began investigating asbestos related deaths, 34 deaths were attributed in some way to exposure to asbestos from home renovations. He said the kit was an excellent example of how the community, local and state government can work together to try and prevent further deaths from home renovations involving asbestos. “The development of the kit is important beyond what we can imagine”, Mr Johnstone said. The ‘Asbestos in the Home Removal Kit’ can be purchased from the Latrobe City Council service centre in Morwell for $20. The cost also covers the disposal fee at the Latrobe City landfill and a free asbestos awareness and education session is provided with each kit. Any Latrobe City resident planning a home renovation involving the removal of asbestos material should first contact Latrobe City Council Waste Education Officer Peter Collins on 1300 367 700 to arrange an appointment.
Home Removal Kit
Removal Kit Contents: 1 X DVD Instruction Guide (11 Min approx) 2 x 5m x 3m x 200um Black Plastic Wrap 2 x 600 x 450mm Printed Disposal Bags 2 x 1100 x 700mm Printed Disposal Bags 2 x Breathable Disposable Coveralls 2 x Vented Flat Fold Respirators 8 x 'Blue Rhino' Disposable Gloves 4 x Disposable Overshoes 1 x Roll Duct Tape 1 x 6m Printed Barrier Tape 4 x Wipe Down Rags 1 x 1lt. Spray Mist Bottle 1 x 250ml PVA Glue 3 x Asbestos Warning Stickers	Obtaining the Removal Kit The ‘Asbestos in the Home Removal Kit’ (for Latrobe City Residents only) can be purchased from the Latrobe City Council service centre, Commercial Road, Morwell for $20. The cost also covers the disposal fee at the Latrobe City landfill. A free asbestos awareness and education session (approx. 30 mins duration) is provided with each kit. Any Latrobe City resident planning a home renovation involving the removal of asbestos material should first contact Peter Collins, Latrobe City Council Waste Education Officer on 1300 367 700 to arrange an appointment.
Other Asbestos Related Information If you are seeking information on accredited registered licenced removalist's for the removal of small & large quantities of asbestos or would like information on where to have materials analysed for asbestos please contact the GARDS office on 03 51277744 or email your inquiry to GARDS
Asbestos in the Home Removal Kit – some history Early in 2004 the Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Inc. (GARDS) and Gippsland Trades and Labour Council (GTLC) identified a need for education, safe removal and safe storage of domestic asbestos in Gippsland. GARDS and GTLC met on a number of occasions to talk through some of the issues. Other organizations were approached to gather support and ideas as to how to proceed. In mid 2004 GARDS and GTLC, having identified a need for an Asbestos Storage Facility held meetings with a local asbestos removal company who subsequently submitted a proposal for a facility. However, due to the company not being prepared build the facility to the high standard GARDS and GTLC needed to ensure safety the proposal was not realized. A public meeting was called in July 2005. The EPA, the local asbestos removal company, GTLC, GARDS and some concerned community were invited to discuss some the issues regarding the building of a storage facility. Where a facility should be located and what that facility might look like was talked about. It was clear that it was vital that the community had confidence that the facility would be of the highest standard, so that domestic asbestos could be safely deposited and held there, and would not represent a danger to the community in any way.	Following on from that meeting, GARDS and GTLC had discussions with a local environmental services firm, bearing in mind the concerns of the community for a safe facility. GARDS and GTLC approached EPA Victoria where discussions and presentations from GTLC, GARDS and the environmental services firm took place. They discussed the layout of a facility and the necessary infrastructure to support it. One of those infrastructure items was an asbestos home removal kit. After further meetings with other organizations the Latrobe Domestic Asbestos Waste Management Committee was realized. Slowly one by one representatives from Latrobe City Council, Dept of Human Services, Victorian Workcover Authority, and Victorian Waste Management Association added their collective expertise to the committee. The EPA has chaired these meetings and provided the secretarial support. GARDS has provided their premises and provided afternoon tea for this group since Nov 2005. Some group members have met in excess of 40 times or more to discuss and gather information for the committee. One of the infrastructure ideas has now emerged as the Asbestos in the Home Removal Kit, launched on the 22nd of March 2007. This infrastructure was prepared so that an asbestos storage facility could be realized.
	Acknowledgements: The ‘Asbestos in the Home Removal Kit’ and DVD Project was funded by the Department of Human Services and Latrobe City Council. It was produced with the support of EPA Victoria, WorkSafe, Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Inc., Gippsland Trades and Labour Council, the Victorian Waste Management Association, G & J Crosby Pty Ltd, Veolia Environmental Services and Hazcon Pty Ltd. Safety equipment supplied by Rodburn Industrial

Home Removal Kit