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Asbestos

​Advice on recalled coloured sand products

The NSW Government can now advise that the latest SafeWork NSW testing detected no respirable asbestos fibres in nationally recalled coloured sand products. This aligns with enHealth advice that there is a very low health risk related to the recently recalled coloured sand products.

These products can now be double bagged and safely disposed of in the regular NSW kerbside red bins.

This advice is different to asbestos containing materials like fibro sheeting, which must not be placed in household kerbside bins.

This advice follows the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) publishing a voluntary product recall notice to supplier Educational Colours for colourful children’s sand products sold at Kmart, Officeworks, Educating Kids, Modern Teaching Aids and Zart Art.

The products recalled were labelled as Kadink Sand (1.3kg), Educational Colours – Rainbow Sand (1.3kg) and Creatistics – Coloured Sand (1kg).

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority has confirmed precautionary disposal advice. 

Disposal and cleaning advice
Based on the enHealth advice, and SafeWork NSW testing results, the precautionary disposal advice in NSW is:
  • The coloured sand products listed in the ACCC product recall can be disposed double-bagged in the red lid bin (this means placed in a heavy-duty plastic bag and taped securely and then place that bag in another plastic bag and taped again). Waste in red lid bins is ordinarily disposed of at licensed waste facilities.
  • Any cloths used for cleaning up where the product was used should also be double bagged, as per the above advice.

Similarly, based on the enHealth advice and SafeWork NSW testing results, occupational hygienists or asbestos hygienists generally should not be required to clean sites where the sand was used.

For more information including:

  • the role of the NSW Government’s Asbestos Taskforce
  • action taken in schools and childhood education and care services
  • product recalls
 

All Asbestos is to be taken to the Lithgow Waste Facility

Asbestos is not accepted at any of  the Rural Landfills (Portland, Wallerawang or Capertee) or Transfer Stations

Handling & Disposal of Asbestos- Legalities

If you use the appropriate safety precautions, you are permitted to remove a maximum of 10 square metres of bonded asbestos in NSW.

However, if removing more than 10 square metres, you MUST either hire a qualified asbestos removalist or obtain a NSW WorkCover bonded asbestos removal licence which requires you to attend an appropriate training course run by TAFE or a registered training organisation. Any loose or friable asbestos must be removed by an qualified asbestos removalist and cannot be removed by the homeowner.

It is illegal to re-use, recycle or illegally dump asbestos products. It is also illegal to dispose of asbestos waste in domestic garbage bins.

Asbestos waste must be disposed of at a landfill site that can lawfully receive this waste.

Lithgow Solid Waste Facility accepts asbestos waste. However as asbestos waste must be disposed of by special burial, acceptance of the waste is subject to prior arrangement. For delivery please contact Council on (02) 6354 9999.

All asbestos must be:

  1. Wet down
  2. Double wrapped and taped dust tight
  3. Booked in for immediate burial – At Lithgow Solid Waste Facility
  4. Please call (02) 6354 9999 for delivery – an appointment is essential.

Please note the recent legislative changes to household asbestos waste tracking

If you have over 100 kilograms or 10 square metres of asbestos waste to dispose of, and plan to transport it yourself, you must use the disposing of household asbestos form to report this movement of asbestos to the EPA.

Dealing with household asbestos (nsw.gov.au)

Customer Asbestos Disposal Procedure

To dispose of asbestos, please click on the “Customer Asbestos Disposal Procedure” below and follow all the steps in the procedure.

The Asbestos (Special Waste) Customer Disposal Procedure outlines the minimum requirements for the safe disposal of asbestos waste at the Lithgow Solid Waste Facility. This procedure applies to members of the public and Licenced Asbestos Contractors disposing of asbestos waste. Asbestos Waste from outside the Lithgow LGA will not be accepted at the Lithgow Solid Waste Facility.

Lithgow Solid Waste Facility – Customer Asbestos Disposal Procedure

Fees and Charges

There is a charge to dispose of asbestos.  The current fees and charges can be found on Council’s website under Waste and Recycling – Lithgow Solid Waste Facility fees and charges.  Payment is made at the time of delivery. The Lithgow Solid Waste Facility cannot accept cash or cheque payments.

 

 

Asbestos Management Plan

The Asbestos Management Plan was adopted by Council on 25/09/2017  and has been prepared as a reference document to:

  • Outline the role and powers of key NSW Government agencies and Council in managing asbestos;
  • Provide general advice for residents or businesses to assist them manage asbestos appropriately;
  • Identify procedures to be implemented to address asbestos when assessing applications for development; and
  • Describe Council’s procedures for managing asbestos in its workplace.

The Management Plan was formulated to be consistent with Council’s legislative obligations and within the scope of Council’s powers. The Plan must be read in conjunction with relevant
legislation, guidelines and codes of practice. In the case of any discrepancies, the most recent legislation is applicable.

The Management Plan is based on the Model Asbestos Policy for NSW Councils developed by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Office of Local Government to promote a consistent Local Government approach to asbestos management across NSW.

View  Asbestos Management Plan

Useful Links

NSW Department of Environment and Conservation
www.epa.nsw.gov.au

WorkCover NSW
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

 

Asbestos Fact Sheet

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