Author: Liam Ridings

Mr Fluffy is the name used for a type of insulation that was heavily used in Australia in the 1960s and 1970s. Named for its fluffy texture and appearance, the insulation was made from raw asbestos fibres and was installed as a roofing insulation material. The name Mr Fluffy now commonly refers to a widespread… Read more »

The use of asbestos in concrete products has changed dramatically over the last two decades. Find out the critical difference between asbestos and non-asbestos cement and how regulations have evolved over the years. In Australia, it is estimated that over 60% of all production and 90% of all consumption of asbestos fibres occurred in the… Read more »

What does asbestos look like? How can you recognise the hazardous material in your home or workplace? We address some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to identifying and recognising the risk of asbestos materials.   Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can often be difficult to identify. Heavily used in… Read more »

Is Fibro Asbestos? Does all fibro contain asbestos? The relationship between fibro and asbestos materials is fraught with confusion – let’s clear the air.    “Fibro” is a term abbreviated from “Fibrous Cement Sheeting”. The name derives from the process of using different fibrous materials to reinforce a thin cement sheet. Among these fibrous materials,… Read more »

There are six different types of asbestos materials. We look at the 3 most common types of asbestos materials in Australia and how you can identify them and stay safe. Asbestos is a generic term given to encompass multiple types of different silicate materials. Naturally occurring in the environment, the silicate fibres are all composed… Read more »

The history of asbestos can be dated back to prehistoric times. While the lineage is long, the popularity of asbestos exploded in Australia during the 20th century when it became a popular, cost-effective choice for builders. Since then, the devastating material has been linked to thousands of deaths across the country. But where did it… Read more »

Asbestos is an incredibly dangerous material. All handling and incidental exposure to friable asbestos fibres being fraught with risk. The long-term dangers of Asbestos are well documented and have been directly linked to detrimental health effects such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Something many people fail to realise is, while there is no ‘safe’… Read more »

Asbestos exposure is one of the biggest risks facing the construction and renovation industry in Australia. So, what can you do to minimise the risks of exposure? Being aware of asbestos and understanding the risks of asbestos materials are two entirely different things. Living in Australia, you’ve likely obtained a basic understanding of what asbestos… Read more »

Find out when asbestos was banned in Australia and how the government regulates the importation, sale, and use of asbestos-materials today. Australia has a long, drawn-out history with the importation, use, and mining of asbestos materials. Once seen as the miracle construction material because of its ‘idyllic’ properties, Australia was responsible for one of the… Read more »

Non-friable asbestos material refers to asbestos that is resistant to damage and is unlikely to release harmful asbestos fibres into the air. Non-friable asbestos is characterised by the fact that, unlike friable asbestos materials, it cannot be damaged or crushed by the human hand. Asbestos is a general term to describe a family of naturally… Read more »