Checks for asbestos in buildings or structures developed after December 31 2003 may not be mandatory under WorkSafe Victoria’s review of occupational health and safety regulations.

The proposal features in a public-comment draft. Victorians have until September 9 to provide feedback.

State legislation requires that work health and safety laws are reviewed every 10 years, and the current framework is due to expire in June next year.

The draft says an employer or equivalent “may assume asbestos is not present in a building, structure, ship or plant” if it was built or made on or after December 31 2003.

The Insurance Council of Australia says it is assessing what the proposals mean for the industry and policyholders.

WorkSafe Victoria CEO Clare Amies says the wide-ranging proposals will not compromise safety.

“The proposed changes will help streamline and modernise the regulations and will better reflect current Victorian work practices,” she said. “But most importantly, none of the changes reduce safety standards.”

Victorian businesses’ annual compliance costs will likely be reduced by $9 million if the changes are adopted.

Australia has banned asbestos imports and use since 2003, and the maximum penalty for breaches is a $170,000 fine. But there are growing concerns imported asbestos, mostly from China, has slipped through checkpoints. Critics say enforcement is lax, citing the recent discovery of imported asbestos in the new Perth Children’s Hospital.

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