The NSW Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities (HACA) today launched a new hotline number to provide free advice and guidance on asbestos-related issues.
HACA Chair Peter Dunphy said the new number 1800 Asbestos provides the NSW Community with a central point of contact for making enquiries about asbestos.
“Calls to 1800 Asbestos (1800 272 378) will be answered by the SafeWork NSW Customer Contact Centre who regularly manage general asbestos enquiries,” Mr Dunphy said.
“The hotline will be particularly useful to homeowners and renovators including advice on what they should look out for before renovating an older style home, built prior to 1987.
“Callers will also be referred to an extensive range of free educational resources on asbestos such as information on managing or removing asbestos in the home or workplace.”
The hotline will also refer the public to the correct government agency or local Council for further advice and assistance where appropriate.
Mr Dunphy said between July 2015 and June 2016 the SafeWork Customer Contact Centre handled more than 4,000 asbestos enquiries.
“Asbestos is a prevalent issue in our community and the new hotline will act as a one-stop-shop for advice and assistance on asbestos,” Mr Dunphy said.
HACA works to improve the management, monitoring and response to asbestos issues in NSW by developing coordinated prevention programs and developed the NSW state-wide plan for asbestos, as well as a model asbestos policy for local councils.
Asbestos licence holders still must notify SafeWork NSW before licensed asbestos removal work is commenced on the Asbestos and Demolition Hotline, 1800 672 718.
1800 Asbestos will complement other asbestos advisory resources such as asbestosawareness.com.au and our asbestos information.
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