More warnings today about the dangers of hidden asbestos risks in building maintenance, with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland reminding builders to check temporary power boards for the deadly substance.

The poisonous material was commonly used as an electrical insulator on meter boards and panels, and as a base to busbars, spark arresters and flash guards. Queensland’s safety watchdog says older switchboards have a much higher chance of containing asbestos, but it was used in temporary boards right up until 2004.

Timber metre boxes installed before 1990 were also frequently lined with asbestos-cement sheeting, contaminated dust and debris from various components can be present within the cabinets.

As legislation stands in Queensland asbestos from temporary power boards would be of a small enough quantity to not require a license to remove it, if there is less than 250 kilograms. Boards must however be disposed of in accordance with the How to Safely Remove Asbestos Code of Practice 2011.