Asbestos in soils

When asbestos is found in soil, it is usually because of:

  • inadequate asbestos removal work or demolition
  • degradation of a building or structure on site
  • legacy or recent illegal dumping
  • waste burial
  • past use of contaminated fill or top soil.

Asbestos in soil poses a risk to the health of workers if the fibres become airborne and are then inhaled. The likelihood of exposure depends on the:

Asbestos: Safety basics

What is asbestos? 

Asbestos is a mineral found in nature that is made up of millions of fibres. Despite being banned in 2003, thousands of buildings and machinery parts still contain asbestos. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. 

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and can typically be found in rock, sediment, or soil. It has strong fibres that are heat-resistant and have good insulating properties. Because of these properties, asbestos was widely used in building products.

Report an incident involving dangerous goods and explosives

For dangerous goods emergencies or accidents requiring the attendance of emergency services, telephone 000.

Importance of reporting

Reporting dangerous goods incidents is important as it assists in the prevention of incidents through raising awareness of accident trends and publicising the learnings from investigations. Reporting can also help prevent the escalation of unsafe conditions if hazards and risks involved in the incident are recognised and addressed.

2024 Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards winners and finalists

The Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards' ceremony was held at Optus Stadium on 31 October 2024.

These awards recognise outstanding solutions and innovations to specific workplace health and safety problems in Western Australia.

A record 89 submissions were received with 41 companies or individuals recognised as finalists. Nine of these finalists were awarded with a winner’s trophy and three finalists received a certificate of merit.