This safety alert was issued due to the potential presence of asbestos in Bunsen burner gauze mats that have been imported into Australia. Find a more detailed safety alert on this matter at Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency.
Background
WorkSafe Tasmania has become aware that asbestos-containing material may be present in Bunsen burner gauze mats, commonly used in laboratories, that have been imported into Australia.
These mats typically have a ceramic disk in the centre.
Gauze mats without this ceramic centre have no risk of containing asbestos.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022 prohibit a range of activities around asbestos, including its importation, supply, sale and use. The laws also set out duties to identify all asbestos present in a workplace.
Risk from using asbestos-contaminated gauze mats
Even if a gauze mat contains asbestos, the risk from normal use will generally be extremely low. Free fibre release into the air will be minimal. Over time, particles and debris may break off during use or through abrasion or impact in storage.These do not represent an airborne risk.
Recommended actions
Stop using your mats and find out if they contain asbestos
Quarantine any gauze mats until you can confirm with your supplier that there is no asbestos-containing material in them, even if they are labelled asbestos free. If you can’t confirm this with your supplier, you could have them tested at a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory. For information on testing, go to the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency website and look under the 'asbestos import and export' tab.
Quarantining the gauze mats while you confirm if they contain asbestos could be as simple as putting them in sealed bag or container, locked cabinet or container, labelled to indicate 'asbestos contamination'.
Dispose of mats that contain asbestos
Gauze mats confirmed to contain asbestos must be disposed of as asbestos waste in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2022.
If you are in any doubt about whether the gauze mats contain asbestos, dispose of them as if they do contain it.
For more information about correct disposal:
Check when you buy new gauze mats
If you are buying gauze mats, ask your supplier for documentation confirming there is no asbestos in the products, even if they are labelled asbestos free.
If you are unsure about what to do, contact WorkSafe Tasmania.
First published in November 2018