Consultation on Asbestos Exposure Standards in Australia
On September 20, 2002, a Press Release from Australia’s National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) announced the commencement of a twelve week consultation period on a Proposed Amendment to the National Exposure Standard for Chrysotile Asbestos1. Following last year’s decision to prohibit the import and use of chrysotile and chrysotile products in Australia, which will take effect from December 31, 2003, the NOHSC is considering new regulations to ensure workers’ safety.
In July, 2002, NOHSC agreed to a public consultation exercise on proposals for reviewing and updating the national exposure standard for chrysotile in order to:
bring these standards into line with comparable overseas OHS agencies;
implement best practice health and safety measures;
reflect the change from a "controlled use" to a national prohibition policy;
ensure a consistency with other control procedures including those for the safe removal of asbestos;
provide working conditions which reflect the current level of knowledge.
The deadline for submission of comments to Ms Joanne Cuthbert2 is December 13, 2002.
September 23, 2002
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1 http://www.nohsc.gov.au
2 email: joanne.cuthbert@nohsc.gov.au
address: GPO Box 1577, CANBERRA, ACT 2601
fax: (02) 6279 1150
