Dangers Of An Asbestos Accident: West Footscray Factory Fire
Professional asbestos inspection and removal could have stopped the West Footscray asbestos accident from happening.
A building containing asbestos exploded today in West Footscray, a suburb in West Melbourne. The explosion was followed by blazing fires, sending out huge streaks of toxic smoke into Melbourne’s atmosphere, and potentially releasing asbestos fibres into the air as well. The fumes coming out of the burning building were also said to contain acetone and oxy-acetylene, chemicals used for welding, an industrial process. The air in West Footscray and the surrounding neighbourhoods reportedly had an intense nail polish remover smell due to the chemicals it was contaminated with.
The fire was fought by over a hundred firefighters from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), supported by thirty fire trucks as well as cherry picker aerial appliances. MFB released a warning for the West Footscray residents which advised them to stay indoors, shut all doors and windows and refrain from using any heating or cooling systems. Asbestos procedures were said to be “in place” and that the situation was managed by the firefighting teams who were wetting the burning materials to limit air’s potential exposure to asbestos and burning chemicals.
What makes West Footscray asbestos accident dangerous?
However, the severity of this accident is magnified by the fact that asbestos is most dangerous when inhaled. As the building containing asbestos firstly exploded, it potentially released asbestos fibres into the air. Moreover, the smoke from the burning building also mixed itself with air, potentially increasing the risk of inhaling asbestos even further. This can be a concern particularly in the areas closest to the incident’s location, West Footscray.
Source: Emergency Management Victoria, published by the ABC
This unexpected and dangerous asbestos accident is an important example of why removal and assessment of asbestos are so important. They should always be a priority for any building owner.
Asbestos becomes dangerous if stirred, as it’s the main danger to human health is linked with being inhaled. Asbestos is made out of tiny particles of material, which is not dangerous if undisturbed. However, if asbestos is moved, it can be released into and carried by air, increasing the risk of being inhaled.
Breathing in asbestos is what makes it dangerous due to its structure. Asbestos is made of mineral fibres, which are tiny enough to be inhaled by humans. However, once asbestos fibres enter the lungs, they cannot be removed – they will remain there. Dangerous health issues related to asbestos include asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Handling and removing asbestos professionally can reduce the risk of these serious health risks.
The dangers of the West Footscray asbestos accident could have been avoided by removing asbestos from the building.
What should be done to avoid asbestos-related risks?
If you suspect that your building contains asbestos, we strongly recommend that you contact a professional asbestos removal service and book an appointment to inspect asbestos presence within your property. Experts will be able to assess the risks asbestos within your property poses to you, your family, and your surroundings. Depending on the situation, different steps could be recommended. However, they will often include asbestos removal if possible. This can ensure the risks of spreading asbestos fibres within your area is reduced.
We advise asbestos inspections and asbestos removal for private properties such as houses, shops or any other businesses owned privately. Public building owners should also strive to identify whether their property contains asbestos in any form. Places such as schools and hospitals should be at the forefront of asbestos risk management.
Who is legally responsible to minimise the risk of asbestos accidents happening?
In Victoria, asbestos management, including asbestos assessment and asbestos removal, is legally required mostly from commercial entities. This includes commercial businesses carrying out refurbishment or demolition works for both private and public properties. If these works are made by the property owners themselves (which is strongly advised against), asbestos assessment is not legally required. However, it is strongly recommended that any property is assessed for asbestos and that the material is removed if possible.
Ensuring properties are inspected for asbestos, which is then professionally handled and removed, will minimise the risk of another asbestos accident happening in Melbourne, Victoria, and the rest of Australia.
At A&B Asrem, we provide professional asbestos removal services in Melbourne and its surrounding areas such as McKinnon, Bentleigh, Caulfield and Carnegie. At A&B Asrem we are fully licensed and are able to conduct asbestos testing, inspection and removal in a safe and timely manner. Asbestos is a highly dangerous material, so contact us today if you even suspect that you may have asbestos in your home.
