NSW: New asbestos removal laws proposed

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2006
NSW: New asbestos removal laws proposed

SYDNEY, April 4 AAP - The NSW government is drafting new laws to prevent anyone other
than licensed operators from removing small amounts of bonded asbestos from buildings.

Currently, only licensed personnel are permitted to remove more than 199 square metres
of the deadly fibre from a building.

The new laws, drafts of which were today released for public consultation, will reduce
this to 50 square metres by September 1 and to 10 square metres by July 1, 2007.

Commerce Minister John Della Bosca said the laws had been drafted following community
concerns about operators inappropriately removing asbestos.

"By following the correct procedures, builders can manage the risks of working with
bonded asbestos to ensure no-one is exposed to the tragedy of asbestosis, mesothelioma
or lung cancer," Mr Della Bosca said in a statement.

He said the government would work with industry to ensure more courses were available
for contractors seeking asbestos removal licences.

AAP pj/was/lma/tnf

KEYWORD: ASBESTOS

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.