Licensed asbestos removal work involves the removal of any quantity of friable asbestos, or more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos.
You must notify us at least 5 days before starting licensed asbestos removal work. However, there are other instances when you must notify us immediately of work involving asbestos.
You need a licence to remove asbestos. There are three types of asbestos licences:
There are specific requirements for how asbestos should be managed during removal, minor works or maintenance procedures. It is also important to know about prohibited activities, notifications, licences as well as advice about clean ups after floods, storms or fires.
There are several duty holders who have a role in managing risks associated with removal of asbestos and asbestos containing material (ACM) at the workplace. These include:
In most workplaces, the asbestos that is encountered and poses a risk to health and safety will be found in manufactured products. However, some workplaces may have to deal with asbestos in its natural state.
The health risks associated with the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibres are well established. Asbestos minerals encountered in exploration and mining operations must be managed carefully.
Australia has one of the highest rates for asbestos-related disease in the world, and as a tradie you're at risk of exposure. This page gives builders and tradespersons practical information about their responsibilities and legal duties when dealing with asbestos.
You must make an asbestos register document if you have asbestos and/or asbestos containing material (ACM) in your workplace, assumed to be in your workplace, or likely to be in your workplace from time to time.
The asbestos register is a document that lists all identified (or assumed) asbestos in a workplace. The asbestos register is intended to ensure workers and others in the workplace do not accidently disturb asbestos.
If you think there’s asbestos in your workplace, talk to your employer first. If you’re a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) with asbestos, you must:
If you are an employer or person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must protect anyone that works with or could be exposed to asbestos. This includes managing the risks, keeping an asbestos register, and having an asbestos management plan.
If you are the person with management or control of the workplace, you must ensure that an asbestos register is prepared and kept at the workplace.
Under the work health and safety legislation, you must:
When asbestos is found in soil, it is usually because of:
Asbestos in soil poses a risk to the health of workers if the fibres become airborne and are then inhaled. The likelihood of exposure depends on the:
Asbestos is a mineral found in nature that is made up of millions of fibres. Despite being banned in 2003, thousands of buildings and machinery parts still contain asbestos. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and can typically be found in rock, sediment, or soil. It has strong fibres that are heat-resistant and have good insulating properties. Because of these properties, asbestos was widely used in building products.
