Home »
If you work in or around buildings that may contain asbestos, your employer has specific obligations to protect your health and safety.
Your employer must:
- know where asbestos is and make sure an asbestos register is available for your workplace
- tell you about it. You have the right to access the asbestos register and to be informed of asbestos in areas where you work
- provide training on identifying asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), what to do if you encounter them, and how to use controls and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- provide PPE suitable for the work being done and correctly fitted, at no cost to you
- arrange health monitoring if you’re regularly engaged in asbestos-related activities where there’s a risk of exposure. Your employer pays for this
- consult you on health and safety matters that affect you, including decisions about managing or removing asbestos.
Your rights
- You can refuse unsafe work. If you reasonably believe work involves an immediate threat to your health and safety (e.g. being asked to disturb asbestos without proper controls), you have the right to stop. Notify your supervisor and your health and safety representative (HSR). You can’t be penalised for this.
- You can ask your HSR to act. They can issue a provisional improvement notice if your employer is not meeting their obligations, or direct work to cease if there’s an immediate threat.
- You can contact WorkSafe. If your concerns aren’t resolved internally, contact WorkSafe Victoria.
Your responsibilities
- Take reasonable care for your own health and safety, and that of others.
- Follow workplace procedures and use PPE as directed.
- Cooperate with your employer’s safety measures.
- Report asbestos hazards or concerns to your employer or HSR.