Asbestos Regulations

In Victoria, asbestos is regulated under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, the Environment Protection Act 2017, and the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2012. These regulations prohibit the use, reuse, and sale of asbestos-containing materials, and set strict requirements for their identification, management, and removal. Any building constructed before 1990 should be assumed to potentially contain asbestos materials until confirmed otherwise by a competent person. For roofing work, the key regulatory requirements are: a competent person must identify any asbestos-containing materials before work begins; removal of more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos (which includes asbestos cement roofing sheets) must be carried out by a WorkSafe Victoria licensed asbestos removalist (Class B licence); the work must follow a safe work method statement; the removed material must be disposed of at a licensed facility; and clearance documentation must be provided. In Gippsland, asbestos cement roofing is common on homes, sheds, and commercial buildings built before the late 1980s. Town & Country Roofing identifies potential asbestos materials during the inspection stage and coordinates with licensed asbestos removal contractors when removal is required. The removed asbestos is disposed of at licensed facilities, and the roof is replaced with modern Colorbond steel or other approved materials. Homeowners should never attempt to cut, drill, or break asbestos cement roofing, as this releases dangerous fibres.