A safety alert posted on the NSW WorkCover website reports that a building site in Sydney has been shut down following the discovery of asbestos in imported plasterboard.  The contaminated plasterboard was sourced specifically for the project and has not been sold more widely.

The expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels had been cut, thereby damaging them and requiring the engagement of a licensed asbestos removalist to remediate the site and remove the panels that remained.

WorkCover states this is a reminder that some supplier countries may classify goods as “asbestos free” where they meet a certain low level of asbestos content. In Australia, a product found with any level of asbestos is prohibited for import or use.

Read the safety alert here.