Risk Management

Asbestos

Legislation obligates controllers of premises to undertake inspection of their premises to assess whether there is a presence of hazardous materials and, if there is, to develop a risk-based management plan.

Therefore, in June 2010 Uniting Resources (on behalf of the relevant Property Trusts) engaged Noel Arnold & Associates (NAA) to conduct property inspections aimed at identifying hazardous materials relating to all property (built before 2002) within the bounds of the Synod of New South Wales and ACT and owned by the Property Trusts.

This initiative not only enables the Uniting Church to meet its legal obligations as controllers of premises, but is also consistent with its commitment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees, congregation members, volunteers, occupants, contractors and other members of the community.

Work on the project also aims to enable:

• Provision of an Asbestos Register for each workplace to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees and others who might access the site, including contractors, volunteers and other members of the community;
• Compliance with relevant state/territory legislation; in particular the New South Wales Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001 and the ACT Work Safety Regulation 2009.

Control of hazardous material/asbestos on a workplace (or any site for that matter), can only be effectively managed / achieved where there is a broader OH&S / Safety Management System in place. An example of some of the key elements of an effective management system include:

• Effective processes for Controlling Access to the site;
• Due diligence undertaken in developing a preferred contractor listing;
• Effective site Control of Contractors;
• An institutionalised on site Work Permit /Clearance procedure for all non routine work of a dynamic nature or high risk (eg: work involving asbestos, hot work, heights, electrical, confined space, breaking into walls, floors or ceilings, excavation);
• A detailed and well rehearsed Emergency Planning process;
• Confirmed competency of skilled and trained on site supervision / employees.

For details on working with asbestos, licensing requirements, disposal, information see:

• Connect – Autumn 2011 (.pdf)
• Simplified UCA Asbestos Management Plan (.pdf)
• Uniting Resources Asbestos Management Plan June 2011
• It is a requirement to ensure all workplace activities are carried out according to the WHS Management System Policy and principles, more information here.