Go for Quality Rather Than Cheap Asbestos Filled Building Supplies

You may recall last year we published an article:
Asbestos Filled Building Products Still Being Imported into Australia from China

This article outlined the dangers of this hazardous substance. The importation of and use of materials containing asbestos breaches Australian Standards, and therefore it is vital that you do your homework on who you get your building supplies from.

As so many building companies and suppliers scrounge for “cheap over quality”, they often source from overseas, including the Asian and Indian markets where products can be labelled “asbestos free” but still contain low levels of asbestos. While these pass the standards of that country, they do not comply with Australian Standards. This “cheap over quality” – and what could also be classed as “cheap over safety” mindset means the asbestos problem has exploded, despite the substance being banned in Australia back in the 1980s!

While you may be vigilant and strict about who you source building materials from, it is still very possible you may take on a building job or reno that already features building materials containing asbestos.

A prime example is the construction site of the new Royal Hobart Hospital where material containing asbestos was disturbed. This stalled the project, and following the discovery of more asbestos found in a ceiling in a different building the week before, staff had to be relocated for safety. Of course, this construction work is being performed on a building which was built before asbestos was banned in Australia… but remember the “cheap over quality” mindset hasn’t just formulated in the last few years. Asbestos was discovered recently within roof panels imported from China on a major hospital in Perth.

If you discover or suspect there is asbestos onsite with your construction project, in a current building or materials that have been supplied, follow the guidelines of testing – treat it as dangerous until professional testing can determine if the hazard is present.

There has been a clash of government representatives and some union officials over what is, and who is, responsible for the growth in asbestos importation. The circumstances contributing to the situation appear to be the rise in building costs which encourages contractors to ‘cut corners’ and import cheap materials.

But really, in the long term doesn’t the import and use of asbestos filled products cost society (health and rising costs) as well as the builder (health and loss of business)? After all, with the influx of asbestos filled material sneaking through – a hefty increase in prosecutions and penalties for illegal asbestos importation and use are surely on the horizon.

Be vigilant and add “value” to your construction quote as using “guaranteed asbestos free materials”. Communicate with your potential clients that while you may not offer the cheapest quote – you do provide quality and a service that stringently follows the building standards of Australia. Highlight to your potential clients that you don’t cut corners as you believe your client’s safety and right to quality is paramount.