SafeWork SA and the SA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) have completed the first stage of a joint audit of licensed asbestos removalists.

The two agencies worked on the audit to assess the safety practices at depots and worksites in a bid to deliver improved safety and environmental outcomes for managing the deadly material.

SafeWork SA Executive Director Bryan Russell said the audit of an initial 11 removalists identified a number of areas for improvement and SafeWork SA issued a range of notices to ensure that licensees comply with minimum safety standards.

“Responsible businesses recognise the importance of managing asbestos-containing material responsibly, and in this exercise we have had excellent cooperation from the asbestos removalists,” Mr Russell said. “We will continue to work with them to assist in meeting the required safety standards.”

“The safe removal of asbestos – from identification to disposal – is crucial not just for the occupants of buildings and homes where it is found, but for the workers who must carry out the job. The illegal removal of asbestos, unsafe transport and dumping of asbestos are areas of concern to SafeWork SA and the EPA,” Mr Russell said.

The joint audit program undertaken by SafeWork SA and the EPA aims to confirm that licensees are complying with the terms of their licence.