Asbestos group warns tradies

The Asbestos Contractors Group has issued a warning to tradesmen and DIYers about the risks associated with not asbestos testing a home before beginning work.

Because there are no laws forcing homeowners to carry out a hazardous materials test before starting renovations, it is important for people to take responsibility themselves.

"Unfortunately, tradespeople and, quite often, domestic homeowners are being exposed to asbestos when doing their own renovations, simply because they don’t know it’s there or what it looks like," spokesperson for the group Pat Pearson explained, Monash Weekly reported on August 13.

"There’s no legislation like there is in the general workplaces for an asbestos audit to be carried out."

Victorian building company A Plus Building Services said the problem was more apparent with tradies and homeowners who believe they have found asbestos and don't know what to do.

Safe Work Australia reported 7,275 asbestos removalist jobs carried out in Victoria alone in the 2010 to 2011 period.

Ms Pearson said it was alarming the number of people who were inadvertently exposing themselves to serious harm because of a lack of knowledge.