WorkSafe Victoria Alert: Asbestos Risk in Fire-Rated Boards

guru.anbazhagan@kallibr.com.au (Guru A) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:43:31 GMT

WorkSafe Victoria Alert: Asbestos Risk in Fire-Rated Boards

WorkSafe Victoria has issued a safety alert warning that some fire-rated boards used in building and refurbishment works may contain asbestos - even where products are assumed to be asbestos-free.

Asbestos has been identified in certain imported and legacy boards, creating a serious risk to anyone cutting, drilling, sanding, or otherwise disturbing these materials during work.

⚠️ Why this matters

If asbestos-containing fire-rated boards are unknowingly disturbed, fibres can be released into the air - putting workers, supervisors, and bystanders at risk of long-term health impacts, including asbestos-related disease.

WorkSafe’s alert reinforces that:

Assumptions are not safe - some fire-rated boards may contain asbestos
Testing must occur before the disturbance
Only appropriately trained persons should identify and manage asbestos risks
Incorrect handling can lead to serious regulatory consequences

🎓 What should employers and workers do now?

If your team works in construction, refurbishment, maintenance, or demolition in Victoria, this alert is a timely reminder that asbestos awareness is not optional knowledge - it’s a critical safety competency.

To support this, Kallibr Training delivers Asbestos Awareness training in Victoria, designed for:

Builders and trades
Supervisors and site managers
Maintenance staff
Anyone who may encounter asbestos-containing materials at work

Our course covers:

✔️ How to recognise potential asbestos-containing materials
✔️ What to do if asbestos is suspected
✔️ Legal duties under Victorian safety laws
✔️ Practical, real-world site scenarios

Ensure your team has the awareness they need to work safely and stay compliant.

Key EWP Code Updates: What Your Business Needs to Know

guru.anbazhagan@kallibr.com.au (Guru A) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:13:11 GMT

Understanding the Latest EWP Code of Practice

Safe Work Australia released an updated Model Code of Practice: Elevating Work Platforms (EWP) in December 2025.

This updated Code sets the national benchmark for how EWPs must be planned, operated, and maintained, and will be relied on by regulators, auditors, and courts once adopted by each state.

What’s changed

A single, consolidated Code replacing multiple older guidance documents

Stronger expectations around hazard identification, risk assessment, and control

Expanded guidance on falls, ground conditions, electrical risks, and environmental factors

Clearer requirements for inspections, maintenance, and recordkeeping

Defined responsibilities across the entire EWP supply chain

Why this matters

Codes of Practice are routinely used by regulators to assess what is considered “reasonably practicable” in managing work health and safety risks.

If your EWP procedures or training were developed before December 2025, this update may be a useful reference point for internal review and discussion. For organisations already reviewing EWP-related practices, training may form part of broader capability planning.

Kallibr Training delivers EWP training through public and private courses. Hit the button below to view the course details and book your place now!

WH&S Training & Assessment Services Pty Ltd blog

WorkSafe Victoria Alert: Asbestos Risk in Fire-Rated Boards