Volume
48, No. 8, May 18, 2006
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| Although the asbestos risk has been assessed as very low, personnel who have worked in the USAR facility are encouraged to visit their medical section. |
AN ASSESSMENT has found that personnel who used the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) facility at Holsworthy Barracks were at low level risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.
Head of Defence Personnel Executive MAJGEN Mark Evans said analytical techniques were used to assess the levels of airborne asbestos fibre concentrations.
The asbestos identification analysis concluded that no breathable fibres were present in the material and airborne testing showed there was no risk to health during periods of no activity at the USAR site.
“As no conclusive records or results are available for airborne fibre sampling that occurred during USAR site activities, various case studies and other supporting information were used to estimate exposure for personnel conducting various activities at the site during these times,” MAJGEN Evans said.
“The risk assessment has concluded that exposure for personnel involved in the types of activities at the USAR site are immeasurably small and cannot be distinguished from background concentrations of airborne asbestos as found in suburban environments.
“Defence takes the hazard of asbestos seriously and has an active asbestos management plan. The ultimate goal is to have all Defence workplaces asbestos-free; therefore its removal is a priority.”
The ADF and the NSW Fire Brigade are cleaning up the site, which will remain closed until certified safe.
