Notice lifted on Fisher Shops newsagent as testing confirms asbestos is not present


Released 04/12/2017

WorkSafe ACT has lifted the Prohibition Notice on the newsagent located at the Fisher Shops after testing by a licensed asbestos assessor has shown that the material at the site did not contain asbestos.

Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones said he was pleased to advise of this outcome, with the Prohibition Notice put on the site as a precaution on Saturday 2 December 2017, pending the outcome of the testing results.

“Following concerns that the flooring being removed could contain asbestos, WorkSafe took the precautionary action of closing the site until the outcome of the testing was determined.

“We have now received the testing results from the licensed asbestos assessor and can advise the material has tested negative for asbestos containing materials.”

A complication in this instance was that the shop did not have a commercial Asbestos Management Plan in place. Plans are required by all commercial buildings built in the ACT before 2003 and must contain information on where asbestos may be present on the site.

As the shop did not have a plan in place, the inspectors and assessor could not refer to this for information. This issue will be followed up by the investigators.

Mr Jones took the opportunity to remind the commercial sector to ensure they have current Asbestos Management Plans in place to support maintenance and management of their sites as well as providing important information to tradespeople.

“The plans are required by law (Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011) and need to be reviewed every five years. It is important that this occurs and they are kept in a safe place on the site,” he said.

“In circumstances such as this an updated Asbestos Management Plan could have assisted in understanding the site.”

- Statement ends -

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