Asbestos exposure and compliance study of construction and maintenance workers

While the use of asbestos has been banned in Australia since 2003, in the past there was widespread use of asbestos in buildings. Construction and maintenance workers may be more likely to be involved in work that can disturb asbestos. 

This study was conducted in 2010 to determine: 

• the level of construction and maintenance workers’ awareness of risks of exposure to asbestos 

• current levels of compliance with requirements for working with asbestos containing materials, and 

• barriers to compliance and measuring the current level of exposure to asbestos in certain activities. 

The study found workers had a high level of awareness and confidence in their abilities to protect themselves from asbestos. This awareness and confidence was not matched by putting the necessary safety precautions in place.