With a dozen Tasmanians dying every year from asbestos-related diseases, exposure fears can now be dealt
with immediately thanks to National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation achieved by IPM
Safety for the company’s asbestos air monitoring and asbestos fibre counting services.
The NATA accreditation has allowed IPM Safety to eliminate the lengthy delays associated with sending
asbestos air monitoring samples interstate, now using their own laboratory to gain immediate results.
This allows results to be available within one hour of sampling, enabling a rapid response time if results are
elevated, so risk of exposure can be minimised. Unnecessary exposures and delays are avoided as samples no
longer need to be sent interstate.
IPM Safety Director and Occupational Hygienist Martyn Bradfield said the accreditation was a significant leap
forward for Tasmanian work health and safety, ensuring asbestos exposure risk was managed to the current
National Standard.
“IPM Safety has invested significant resources in order to meet the high standards required for successful NATA
accreditation,” Mr Bradfield said.
“Due to this achievement the Tasmanian community can be confident that our asbestos fibre monitoring and
counting services are independent and accurate.
“The risks associated with improper removal of asbestos need to be minimised and our NATA accredited testing
facility has given us the opportunity to improve efficiency for Tasmania and immediately turn around test results
of the highest quality.
“New laws require businesses to test for asbestos in order to maintain public safety. Removing needless
exposure to asbestos is vital to ensuring Tasmanian workers are protected and educated about asbestos
management.
“Just because asbestos is there, doesn’t mean it is dangerous, as the fibres have to be disturbed before they
pose a serious health risk.
“Therefore it’s really important to establish the presence of asbestos on your work site and its condition to
determine the exposure risk, and workers who could come into contact with the asbestos must be informed of its
presence.”
Mr Bradfield said IPM Safety also offered asbestos awareness and management training, development of
Asbestos Registers and Asbestos Management Plans along with its NATA accredited asbestos fibre monitoring
and counting service.
“It is important for anyone in Tasmania working in areas where there may be a risk of exposure to asbestos to
ensure they are working with professionals who can manage the risks to NATA accredited standards,” he said.
IPM Safety Director and Occupational Hygienist Martyn Bradfield
