Safety Tags

Your Obligation as a Home Owner

The obligations below are outlined in part 3.5 of the Dangerous Substances (General) Regulation 2004:

  1. The homeowner must ensure the warning sticker is displayed at the electricity meter box and switchboard for the home.
  2. As soon as the warning sticker is attached it must not be removed or defaced.
  3. If the warning sticker is removed or defaced, the homeowner or resident must replace it.

This provides a way for tradespeople to easily identify when they are working on a house affected by loose fill asbestos.

It is important to note that having the sticker in place does not replace a homeowner's responsibility to inform tradespeople, tenants or potential buyers of the presence of loose fill asbestos and provide a copy of the Asbestos Contamination Report, also known as an Asbestos Management Plan. Refer to the Asbestos Management Plans page on the Loose Fill Asbestos Coordination team for more information.

Homeowners refusing to attach the warning sticker may be charged with a criminal offence and fined up to $4,500. Access Canberra inspectors also have other enforcement and compliance tools (including the legislative powers to require entry to your home) that they can use to ensure compliance. Failure to cooperate with these measures could result in more serious charges and penalties.

Your Obligations as a Tennant

Tenants must not remove the warning stickers.

If the sticker is removed or defaced after it is attached the tenant must ensure it is replaced.

If a tenant knows their rented accommodation is affected by loose fill asbestos insulation and there is no sticker in place they should contact their landlord or Access Canberra.

What Do Safety Tags Look Like?

The stickers measure 7.5cm x 10cm. They are made of a reflective, weather-resistant vinyl material.

Loose asbestos insulation in property 'Mr Fluffy' House Danger safety tag.

Replacement Stickers

Replacement stickers are provided free of charge by Access Canberra, most licensed asbestos assessors and most licensed asbestos removalists.

In the first instance, please contact WorkSafe ACT to request a replacement.

Affixing the Warning Sticker

The warning stickers must be attached at a visible location at the electricity meter box and switchboard. In some houses they are located together (usually outside), in other houses they may be separate (usually the meter box is outside and the switchboard inside).

Common locations for electricity meter boxes include on the front or side of house, veranda wall or carport wall.

Example of where to affix a safety sticker on or in an electricity box.

If the switchboard is at a separate location to the meter box you must attach a separate warning sticker to the switchboard. Common locations for switchboards include inside meter boxes, in laundries or internal hallways.

Example of where to afiix a safety sticker on a fuse box.

To affix the tag:

  1. Wipe the surface you are going to stick it on with a dry cloth so it is clear of dust or debris.
  2. Remove the sticker from the backing.
  3. Place the sticker in the required location and rub over the surface of sticker to ensure it is affixed securely to the surface.

If the meter box is locked with an ActewAGL lock or if you consider your health or safety is at risk (for example if a licensed asbestos assessor has identified loose fill asbestos fibres inside the meter box) the warning sticker should be placed on the outside cover of the box so it is visible and accessible.

Please contact WorkSafe ACT if you have any questions, concerns or difficulties placing the sticker in the appropriate location.

Note: ActewAGL should be notified of any potential hazard, such as the presence of loose fill asbestos fibres inside the meter box.

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