Advocates are calling the government to force homeowners with properties containing ‘Mr Fluffy’ loose asbestos to have an asbestos management plan, as this would bring them under the same laws that govern commercial buildings.
The ACT government has issued a ‘recommendation’ that homeowners have inspections done and the subsequent report should be available to any tradespeople doing work on their homes. However this is not legally binding.
The construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union would like to see this go further, having submitted a formal recommendation to the ACT government that all 1050 Mr Fluffy homes be subject to much stricter safety measures.
Residential asbestos management plans cost around $1000, making an expense that many homeowners can’t afford, particularly given $100 million had been spent between 1987 and 1992 to clean the roof cavities of all 1050 homes with the insulation. It would appear that remnant asbestos poses a significant public health risk across Canberra, particularly when properties are renovated.
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