Asbestos Awareness
Why Asbestos Awareness Matters More Than Ever
November is National Asbestos Awareness Month, a time for communities and businesses to shine a light on the risks of asbestos exposure. The harm to health is well known, but identifying the material isn’t always as straightforward.
Even though asbestos was banned more than 20 years ago, it remains one of the most common hidden hazards in Australian buildings. With one in three homes built before 1990 likely to contain it, understanding how to identify and manage asbestos safely is key to protecting workers, clients, and communities.
Our risk engineers have answered some of the most common questions to help you know what to look for and how to support your clients.
From the risk engineers
Wasn’t asbestos banned? Why is it still an issue?
Although asbestos is banned in Australia, it’s still a risk in older buildings and infrastructure. Many asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were left sealed during the phase-out, which can become hazardous during renovations, demolitions, or natural disasters.
Why is it critical to know exposure when writing a new business?
Having asbestos in a building significantly increases the cost of clean-up should there be a large loss event.
Walls | Often found in “fibro” wall material that’s quite easy to spot, although harder to identify if painted or rendered. |
Inside buildings | • Wall sheeting (often fibro or cement sheet) • Ceiling panels and internal partitions • Lagging around hot water pipes and ducts |
External Structures | • Roofing, eaves, and gutters • Downpipes and fences • Electrical switchboard backings |
Other common areas | • Guttering • Downpipes • Lagging or insulation around water pipes • Backboards of electrical switchboards • Eaves or roofing • Ceiling materials • Internal partitions of offices and toilets |
My client’s business has asbestos. Why do they need an asbestos management plan?
WHS/OHS laws in each state and territory require businesses in buildings with asbestos or a risk of exposure to have an asbestos management plan. This must be registered regardless if they’re tenants or owners.
We recommend engaging an Occupational Hygienist to help your client prepare and maintain a comprehensive asbestos management plan that includes:
Where to find the asbestos register
Signage and labeling of asbestos areas
Safe work procedures and control measures
Incident and emergency procedures
Asbestos consultation, training, and work log.
Why a management plan matters
Beyond legal requirements, a proactive management plan protects workers and reduces liability. It also builds trust with clients by showing a commitment to safety and due diligence. Explore the resources and tools below to get started.
Asbestos History and Hazards
What you need to know about asbestos hazards: what asbestos is, where it is found, and how to protect people from its adverse effects.
Asbestos Awareness Training
Learn how to safely identify, remove, and manage asbestos in older buildings with guidance from Mitti Insurance’s in-house risk engineers.
Asbestos Inspection Checklist
This asbestos inspection checklist can be used to identify the presence of asbestos in the workplace.
Book a virtual survey
Get support from a Mitti Insurance professional risk engineer to help your business become best practice in mitigating risk.
Staying Informed: The Latest on Asbestos Safety
With regulators stepping up compliance checks and national policies evolving, asbestos safety remains front of mind. Queensland’s recent compliance audit program is ensuring businesses meet legal requirements for asbestos registers and management plans. The new National Strategic Plan 2024–2030 unites all states and territories under a shared goal to eliminate legacy asbestos risks.
The ongoing asbestos contamination at Fred Caterson Reserve in Castle Hill, NSW also highlights the importance of timely remediation and community transparency, reminding us that effective asbestos management extends beyond workplaces to public spaces.
How asbestos aware are you?
Take our quick quiz to see how much you know about asbestos, learn how to spot risks, stay compliant, and protect your clients.
Here’s a sneak peek: What is asbestos made from — a synthetic man-made material or a naturally occurring mineral?
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