The Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand said the effective management of asbestos should be done through enforceable standards. Photo: AAP
An Australasian asbestos management organisation says legally enforceable guidelines are a good way forward.
Worksafe is consulting on replacing the industry's existing approved code of practice with guidelines.
Several industry experts have made submissions worried that if the minister revokes the code it will erode enforcement power.
But the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand that is part of Worksafe's industry working group, said the feedback it had had shows a strong preference for the good practice guidelines (GPG).
"Legally enforceable GPGs enable the effective management of asbestos through authoritative, enforceable standards that allow the much needed flexibility for emerging practices, while providing a solid tool for enforcement," said faculty chair Brian Eva in a statement.
Regulatory powers were critical and any gaps in legal protections could have very serious consequences, he added.
"We have participated in the development of the GPGs with the understanding that these documents would be legally enforceable, contemporary and industry-informed best practice."
The combination with health and safety law and regulations would set clear expectations and a framework to prosecute those who do not comply, plus guidelines could be easily updated to reflect changing technology, methods and industry practice, Eva said.
Worksafe has said it had "overwhelming" feedback that the existing code no longer reflected best practice and that guidelines would be easier to update as the industry evolved.
It published the first stage of the guidelines last year, and has two more stages to go, with stage two open for submissions till 7 November.
"Submissions were initially only opened for a week as the process builds upon prior rounds of consultation already done with the sector. The consultation has ministerial endorsement," Worksafe said.
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