Asbestos Containing Materials in Buildings/Structures

References: R Record keeping requirement | E An engineering/certification requirement | P A permit to work requirement | S A safe work method statement (SWMS) / written plan


Note: This section is to be read in conjunction with Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) - General


Where any type of Asbestos/ACM is known to be present in an existing building an Asbestos/ACM management plan and an Asbestos/ACM register is required to be maintained, considering


  • The location of the ACM in relation to site activities
  • The risk of disturbing the ACM if present, and
  • The condition of the ACM (i.e. friable or non-friable).
  • Based on this assessment, the following must be developed:

R An Asbestos register

R An Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ACRP)

R Safe work method statement

R Applicable monitoring and/or clearance programs


The Asbestos/ACM management plan and register must be accessible to workers and any authorised person.


Note: Asbestos, friable or non-friable includes Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) and Asbestos-Contaminated Dust or Debris (ACD).


R Where the demolition of a building or part of a structure is planned, all ACM must be removed within that area and a clearance certificate issued by a Competent Person who specifies that the building or part of a structure is clear of ACM prior to demolition commencing.


R A risk workshop must be conducted and documented for asbestos/ACM removal work.


 

Prior to ACM Removal Work


Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP) and Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)


R An ARCP must be prepared for licensed asbestos removal work by the licensed asbestos removalist and be provided to Multiplex for information prior to the removal work commencing. The ARCP must be available during the removal work.


WA - Note: Where a notifiable incident occurs and relates to the removal work the ACRP must be kept (by the removalist and MPX) post incident for 2 years.


The ARCP should include, but not be limited to:

  • Identification of ACM
  • Preparation for removal
  • Removal
  • Air monitoring (where applicable)
  • Decontamination
  • Waste disposal
  • Clearance inspections and monitoring requirements


WA - Note: WA legislation does not require an ARCP for removal of non-friable ACM/ACD less than 10m2. A SWMS is required.


S A SWMS is required for licensed asbestos removal work. The SWMS must be prepared by the licensed asbestos removalist / workers and provided to Multiplex for review prior to the removal work commencing and be available during the removal work. The SWMS should detail the planned removal work, handling, disposal, decontamination, and any other associated high-risk activities. The SWMS must be available during the removal work.


R The ARCP (where applicable) and SWMS must be reviewed by the workers prior to carrying out the removal and any associated work. Workers must sign the SWMS to confirm they understand the hazards, risks and will comply with the documented controls.


R NSW - ARCP and SWMS must be reviewed by a Competent Person and be provided to Multiplex for review prior to the removal work commencing.


 


Regulatory Notification


R In accordance with jurisdictional legislation, the applicable regulator must be notified before licenced removal work commences. A copy of this notification must be sent to Multiplex. Notification should be provided at least 5 days prior to the start of any licensed removal work. In the case of emergency removal, the regulator must be notified immediately by telephone and in writing within 24 hours.


 

Training and Competency



R An Asbestos Removal Contractor (removalists) engaged to remove and dispose of Asbestos (i.e. ACM/ACD) must hold a valid asbestos removal license. Refer to Training and Competency Schedule.


R An Asbestos Removalist Worker (Friable, Non-Friable) and Asbestos Removalist Supervisor must hold valid training. Refer to Training and Competency Schedule

Asbestos removal license holders must keep training records for their workers for 5 years post the removal work.


 

Worker Health Monitoring / Records


Asbestos Removal Contractor’s (removalists) are required to provide to their Asbestos Removalist Workers a health assessment / monitoring.


A registered medical practitioner is required carry out a health assessment / monitoring as required.


Asbestos Removalist Workers are required to have a record of health assessment prior to commencement of removal work and continue health monitoring as prescribed.


Records are required to be provided to the worker and be kept by the PCBU (license holder) for 40 years.


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) / Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)


All persons involved with the Asbestos / ACM removal work must wear PPE/RPE as prescribed and in accordance with their ARCP (where applicable) and SWMS.


As far as is practicable, disposable PPE/RPE should be used. Where not practicable PPE/RPE must be decontaminated - refer to ‘Decontamination’.


Tools / Equipment


The use of power tools, brooms or any other tool that has the potential to cause the release of airborne asbestos into the atmosphere is prohibited unless controlled.


Controlled means the tool/equipment is in an enclosed area or the equipment is designed to capture or supress airborne asbestos and is used in accordance with its design

ACM Removal Area


ACM removal area must be defined by barricading and signage or similar in accordance with the ARCP / SWMS.


The removalist must determine the boundaries of the removal area in consultation with Multiplex.


The removalist is responsible to maintain the removal area/exclusion zone for the duration of the removal work until clearance etc. is confirmed. (refer to ‘Clearance Inspection and Clearance Certificate’)

During the Removal Work


During the removal of friable asbestos

  • The work must be carried out in accordance with the ARCP and SWMS
  • The nominated supervisor must be present at the removal area, whenever the removal work is being carried out, and 
  • Air monitoring is required to be carried out by an independent Competent Person

 

During the removal of non-friable asbestos

  • The work must be carried out in accordance with the ARCP (where applicable) and SWMS
  • The nominated supervisor must be available to workers carrying out the work, whenever the removal work is being carried out; and
  • Air monitoring is required to carried out if there is uncertainty as the whether the exposure standard is likely to be exceeded, by an independent Competent Person
  • NSW – Air Monitoring is required to be carried out by a Competent Person (except for circumstances where there is removal of Non-Friable Unexpected ACM Finds)



Air Monitoring


Where applicable, air monitoring is required to be conducted prior to, during, and post (clearance) the removal work.


Air monitoring results must be available to workers at the workplace (including Health and Safety Representatives)


Air monitoring must:

R Have results reported as Fibres/ml and issued to MPX by the start of the next business day prior to the commencement of work in the area.

R Have results available / printed at the sites

 

Table 1 defines the ‘action levels’ and ‘controls’ of different airborne ACM fibre concentrations, which, if exceed within the filters of the air monitors will instigate a series of ‘actions’ to rectify the situation (Table 1 defines the ‘control levels’ of airborne ACM fibre concentrations, which, if exceeded within the filters of the personal air samplers will instigate a series of actions to rectify the situation (ref: Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002 (2005)]).


Table 1: Air monitoring and action levels for ACM removal work (Informative)



Post Removal Work

 

Decontamination - Informative


Decontamination may be achieved by:

  • Personal decontamination
  • Decontamination enclosures
  • Decontamination of equipment and tools


 

Personal Decontamination


Licenced asbestos removalists must provide an outline of their decontamination processes relevant to the works in their ARCP / SWMS. Personal Decontamination must be undertaken each time workers leave the ACM work area and at the completion of any ACM works. Personal decontamination must be done within the ACM work area where re-contamination cannot occur.


The decontamination method will depend upon whether friable or non-friable ACM is being removed:


If non-friable ACM is being removed, a Competent Person may conclude (based on a risk assessment) that a personnel decontamination process is appropriate to manage the risk, as an alternative to a full wet decontamination unit (refer below), and


If friable ACM is being removed, or if extensive non-friable ACM is being removed, a mobile or specially constructed on-site wet decontamination unit must be used. This decontamination unit should be immediately adjacent to, and directly connected with, the enclosed ACM work area.


The personal decontamination process and the use of a decontamination unit are further detailed in the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd edition [NOHSC:2002 (2005)].


 

Decontamination enclosures


Dry Decontamination enclosures should:

  • Be constructed of heavy-duty plastic sheeting and all the walls, windows and doors enclosed. Re-milled plastic sheeting should not be used.
  • Where practical, have viewing panels placed in appropriate locations installed so that the asbestos removal work area can be seen from outside the enclosure.
  • Have adequate lighting within the enclosure,
  • Have floors protected with at least one layer of woven plastic to prevent penetration during the asbestos removal work. The joints should be lapped min 300 mm and sealed with double-sided tape and duct tape.
  • Have an H type Vacuum to clean themselves of loose debris.


Additional requirements for wet decontamination units include:

  • Hot shower facilities (in lieu of H type vacuum) 


Additional requirements based on a risk assessment may include but not limited to the following:

  • Full enclosure
  • Air locks
  • Negative pressure units which must:
  • Be installed to prevent the escape of airborne asbestos fibres from an enclosed removal work area.
  • Be installed to create a ‘negative’ air pressure of approximately 12 pascals (water gauge) within the enclosed removal work area.
  • Incorporate warning devices for filter integrity/overload and power failure.
  • Incorporate a manometer or magnehelic gauge and an audible and visual alarm system which should be checked and recorded daily by either the Competent Person or the licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor’s Supervisor.
  • Ensure the air extracted passes through a HEPA filter to remove any asbestos before it is discharged to the outside.

 


Negative Pressure Units (NPU) and HEPA Vacuums must have:

R A six-monthly Dispersed Oil Particulate test to verify that there are no leaks in the HEPA filter or the seals inside the NPU and HEPA vacuums.

R An annual inspection performed consisting of inspection of filters for damage, air tightness and proper function of the control mechanism.

R An annual test at the frequency as outlined by the manufacturer on the appliance filtration efficiency.

 

A Competent Person must:

  • Visually inspect and conduct a smoke test of the enclosure prior to commencement.
  • Conduct daily visual inspections of the enclosure during asbestos works including the review of air-monitoring results and negative pressure readings.
  • Provide a clearance certificate for the area from which the enclosure was dismantled.


Decontamination of Equipment & Tools


All tools and equipment used during the removal task should be decontaminated using either wet or dry decontamination procedures.


Wet wiping - preferred: Use damp rags to wipe down contaminated tools & equipment.


Dry decontamination: Should only be used where wet methods are not suitable or pose a risk because of other hazards (e.g. electricity / water underfoot causing slipping). Vacuuming the contaminated tools & equipment with an ACM vacuum cleaner.


If tools and equipment cannot be decontaminated or are planned to be reused at another ACM work area, they must be tagged to indicate ACM contamination and double bagged in ACM waste bags before being moved to the next ACM work area.

 


Disposal and ACM Waste Management


Avoid accumulating ACM waste within the ACM work area. If ACM waste cannot be disposed of immediately, it should be stored in a solid waste drum, bin or skip & sealed and secured upon the completion of each day’s work (eg. lid of the bin locked) or at the completion of ACM disposal activity such that unauthorised access is prevented.


Friable and non-friable ACM must be disposed of in appropriate waste receptacles.


R Records of ACM waste disposal must be kept for all quantities disposed and submitted to MPX.


R NSW - A copy of the EPA Waste Tracking document is required.


 

Clearance Inspections and Certificate


Following the licenced asbestos removal work, where an area has been cleared of ACM, a thorough clearance inspection must be completed prior to occupation/re-occupation. Clearance inspections must only be undertaken when ACM removal and decontamination have been completed, noting that airborne fibre monitoring may be required during and after removal.


R For asbestos removal work, an independent Competent Person is required to carry out a clearance inspection and issue a clearance certificate. Where applicable, clearance (air) monitoring is also required.



Documents and Forms


Australia

  • HAZMAT survey & report
  • Asbestos Removal Control Plan
  • SWMS
  • Clearance report
  • Control / clearance monitoring


Western Australia

  • Haz. Materials & Unexpected Finds Register WA HSE INC REG 950.


Queensland

Legal and Other Requirements

  • Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1994
  • Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002 (2005)]
  • Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOSHC: 2018 (2005)]
  • Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOSHC:2007 (1994)]
  • AS3544:1998 – Industrial Vacuum Cleaners for Particulates Hazardous to Health
  • AS4260:1997 – High-efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA) – Classification, Construction and Performance
  • Landfill Waste Classifications and Waste Definitions’ – classified as a Special Waste (Type 1)
  • Guidelines for Health Surveillance [NOSHC: 7039 (1995)]
  • How to Manage & Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice (Qld) 2011
  • How to Safely Remove Asbestos Code of Practice (Qld) 2011
  • How to Safely Remove Asbestos Code of Practice (WA) 2022
  • How to Manage & Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice (WA) 2022



Document Control


Version 1 August 2019 – New Procedure


Version 2 August 2025 –

  • Updated to incorporate WA legislative changes.
  • Revised requirements for submission of contractor documentation, clearance inspections and certificates, air monitoring and action levels, and worker health monitoring / records.