Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, a body corporate (as a PCBU) with management or control of a workplace that was built or refurbished before 1 January 2000 will usually need to identify whether asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are present. Where asbestos is identified or is likely to be present, the body corporate must prepare and maintain a written Asbestos Management Plan.
This plan must be reviewed and, if necessary, updated at least every five years, or sooner if asbestos is disturbed, removed, sealed or enclosed, or if control measures change.
If asbestos is present, the Asbestos Management Plan (and related information) should be readily accessible to workers, contractors, and other people who may be affected. In practice, this means providing a copy (or clear access) to unit owners, tenants, the body corporate manager, and any contractors working on the property.
Does your body corporate have a current Asbestos Materials Survey and Asbestos Management Plan in place? Keeping these documents up to date is an important compliance step that protects residents, workers, and the body corporate itself.