Many vehicles produced before 2003 are likely to have asbestos-containing components that remain in the vehicle until replacement is required. Motor vehicle repair and maintenance work may therefore involve the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres from asbestos-containing components such as brake pads/shoes, gaskets and clutch plates.
As an employer (including self-employed persons), if you need to work on vehicles that contain asbestos components, you must eliminate the exposure of persons in the workplace to airborne asbestos fibres, so far as is reasonably practicable. If exposure to airborne asbestos fibres cannot be eliminated, you must reduce the exposure, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Prohibitions on the use of asbestos-containing products came into effect across Australia on 31 December 2003, and replacement brake pads, brake shoes and clutch plates fitted to vehicles in Victoria after this date must be asbestos free.
Note that, while vehicles that were manufactured after this time should not contain asbestos components, vehicles imported from certain countries may still contain these components due to differing regulatory environments.
Use this checklist to help you safely find, manage and dispose of asbestos from motor vehicle components.
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