Purpose
This safety alert provides information about asbestos being found in brake pads used in wind turbines at wind farms operated across Australia, including in NSW.
Background
These brake pads are used in various applications within wind turbines, including service lift motors, material hoists, yaw and rotor brakes. The wind turbines and brake pads were imported from overseas.
The affected components and brake assemblies may have more than one brake pad, with some brake pads concealed within machinery casing and others identified in spare parts. The identification of asbestos is not defined to a particular brake pad type or brand, with asbestos found across more than one manufacturer.
SafeWork NSW is working collaboratively with all affected WHS jurisdictions to identify at risk wind turbine suppliers in order to target their importation at the border.
SafeWork NSW is also engaging with all wind farm operators in NSW to ensure all brake pads within wind turbines are assessed for asbestos, managed and ultimately replaced if found.
Recommended actions
All wind farm operators must investigate the possibility of asbestos being present in any components or brake assemblies that use brake pads. Asbestos should be assumed to be in all brake pads including spares parts until proven otherwise.
Access, maintenance and servicing activities on all wind turbine lifts where brake pads are in operation, should cease until an inspection has been conducted by a competent person to ascertain if asbestos is present in brake pads and associated areas.
If asbestos or asbestos containing materials are identified, fixed or installed in a wind turbine on or after 31 December 2003, these are considered prohibited asbestos, and as such will be required to be removed in line with Part 10, Division 2A Prohibited asbestos in the WHS Act 2011.
Where asbestos is found, the removal of the asbestos containing materials should be undertaken by an experienced technician, who has attained at minimum asbestos training specific to the removal of the affected components and follow asbestos removal safe work procedures for non-friable asbestos.
To date, investigations reveal the size of all brake pads used in a single wind turbine is small and less than 10m2. However, if the total amount of asbestos containing material to be removed from a singular wind turbine is greater than 10m2, a licensed asbestos removalist must be engaged to assist in the removal with the technician. Clearance inspection requirements will also be required at that point.
SafeWork NSW will continue to engage with all operational windfarms across NSW, to provide advice and guidance on how to identify and manage the risk.
If you require assistance or more information, please call 13 10 50.
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