Asbestos containing materials are present in many buildings built and/or renovated prior to 1990 in Queensland.
When renovating or maintaining switchboards and meter panels, electrical workers may be confronted with asbestos containing materials.
Before 1990, non-friable ACM were commonly used on meter boards and panels, and as bases to busbars, spark arresters, and flash guards. Timber meter boxes installed before 1990 also were commonly lined with asbestos-cement sheeting (fibro).
Switchboard and meter panels that were manufactured from asbestos/resin or asbestos coal tar pitch composite usually have a smooth finish on their surface which is dark brown to black in colour and has a strong tar or bituminous smell to it.
You will often see whitish fibres protruding from unsealed holes on these surfaces – this is asbestos. Drilling, cutting or sanding this material will release asbestos fibres into the air. Meter boxes may also contain loose asbestos fibres within dust and other residue. Asbestos fibres are only a risk to health if they are broken or disturbed and become airborne.
Before carrying out work, you must test any material that you're suspicious of containing asbestos, or assume asbestos is present. If it is present and you intend to perform work on these products you must use a safe work procedure that prevents exposure to asbestos fibres.
For more information about working safely with asbestos, visitwww.qld.gov.au/asbestos or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).