Asbestos surveys

Since September 2009 asbestos surveyors have visited the 73 Northern Territory National Emergency Response (NTNER) communities to complete the task of identifying asbestos containing materials (ACM) and recording the details into the asbestos registers. Not all buildings were able to be accessed, so this work is continuing to ensure all community asbestos registers are accurate and complete.

Surveyors checked buildings (inside, outside and grounds) vacant lots and recreational areas. They often take photographs and material samples for laboratory testing to confirm their field observations.

As part of the Agreement on the Management of Asbestos in the 73 NTNER Communities, the Northern Territory Government, through the Department of Construction and infrastructure, is responsible for establishing and maintaining an accurate and up-to-date register of Asbestos Containing Materials for all buildings.

This website contains the Asbestos Register (for the 73 NTNER Communities). It shows a “Risk Rating and Removal/Management Timeline” for all the asbestos which was identified in the 2008 and 2009 Asbestos Surveys conducted on behalf of FaCHSIA.

Definitions of Asbestos Risk Rating are:

Less than 12 Months / Immediate or High Risk

The asbestos containing materials (ACM) which are identified and rated as “immediate or high risk” in this category, includes damaged or exposed friable asbestos such as insulation materials, which are likely to pose an unacceptable health and safety risk. Such occurrences require immediate remedial action in the form of enclosure, sealing or removal.

NOTE: All the materials identified and rated as “immediate or high risk” through the 2008 and 2009 Asbestos Surveys would have been removed under FaHCSIA’s 2010-11 Asbestos Management Project during works conducted as part of the Agreement on the Management of Asbestos in the 73 NTNER Communities.

The ACM identified and rated as “in poor or damaged condition” in this category, has the potential to pose an unacceptable risk if further damaged. Prevention of on-going damage or significant disturbance of these materials is recommended. ACM identified in this category should be removed as soon as possible.

NOTE: The Asbestos Register for the 73 NTNER Communities shows very few remaining incidences of asbestos in this category. The majority of the materials identified and rated in this category through the 2008 and 2009 Asbestos Surveys were removed under FaHCSIA’s 2010-11 Asbestos Management Project. Where this Asbestos Register shows remaining ACM in this category, this was mainly due to the ACM removal contractors not being able to access the areas where the ACM was located. The owner or “responsible entity” has responsibility for the removal or management of this remaining ACM.

12-36 Months

The ACM detected and rated in this category is deemed not to pose an immediate or significant risk provided it has not been disturbed since the last Asbestos Survey was conducted. However, if the material has deteriorated, management or removal should be planned within this timeframe.

NOTE: Under FaHCSIA’s 2010-11 Asbestos Management Project, ACM identified in this category in the 2008 and 2009 Asbestos Surveys which had not deteriorated or been further damaged was assessed and labelled appropriately.

Greater than 36 Months

The ACM detected and rated in this category is deemed NOT to pose a significant risk provided it is not disturbed. If the ACM has not deteriorated significantly, and unless its condition changes, removal is not seen as necessary in the medium term.