Commercial property legislation is similar but there are some key difference and additional considerations including:
- Duty holder (PCBU) responsibilities - managing asbestos risks within the workplace and ensuring compliance with health and safety obligations related to asbestos.
- Asbestos management plans - outlining procedures for identifying, assessing, and managing asbestos-containing materials on the premises. This plan includes details on regular inspections, risk assessments, and strategies for handling any identified asbestos.
- Occupational health and safety - employers and property managers must ensure that employees, contractors, and visitors are not exposed to asbestos hazards during work activities within the premises.
- Regular inspections and monitoring - regular inspections and monitoring for asbestos-containing materials are often more frequent.
- Compliance and documentation - Compliance with regulations and documentation requirements is stricter for commercial properties. Duty holders must maintain detailed records of asbestos-related activities, including inspections, assessments, management plans, and any asbestos removal or remediation work carried out within the premises.
While the core principles of asbestos management remain consistent between residential and commercial properties, the scale, complexity, and regulatory expectations often differ for commercial settings due to the larger scale, varied occupancy, and increased health and safety considerations associated with workplace environments.