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 ACM in Buildings/Structures and Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) - General

Managing ACM Impacted Soils Prior to Excavation

Soil Dampening

Prior to excavating, all ACM-impacted soils must be dampened to minimise dust generation but not drenched to avoid increasing soil weight & the risk of contaminated leachate run-off.

Minimising Disturbance and Dust

While excavating materials potential release and spread of ACM should be minimised by:

• Preventing loads being dropped from heights,
• Controlling speed of on-site mobile plant
• Reducing the number and surface area of any temporary stockpiles between the excavation and loading point.
• Employing dust suppression methods such as water sprays or approved dust suppressants, especially in dry or windy conditions.

Pre-Excavation Conditions for Retained Soils

R If ACM-impacted soils are intended to be retained on site, then they must not be excavated until such times as:

• A remediation action plan and/or asbestos management plan is developed
• The location of the burial area is agreed with the landowner consent and/or a Contaminated Sites Auditor (if the site is a registered contaminated site), and
• The burial area is prepared, and capping material is available to cover the material immediately after placement.

 

Excavation, Stockpiling and Disposal

All ACM-impacted soils must be excavated, stockpiled and / or disposed of in accordance with the project’s construction environmental management plan and any associated client / contractual requirements.

Stockpile Management

Stockpiles of ACM impacted soils must be:

• Managed in accordance with the remediation action plan and/or asbestos management plan
• Retained within the exclusion zone away from bodies of water to reduce potential impacts of stockpiles on surface water and sediment quality
• Maintained under moist conditions or covered and provisions made to hydro mulch or otherwise stabilise the stockpile (if not disposed of / removed from site within 2 weeks
• Bunded or located to contain soil or surface runoff. Material used for bunding is to be incorporated into the stockpile prior to burial / off-site disposal.

Validation Post-Removal

Following removal, testing and validation by a Competent Person must be undertaken across the stockpile location to validate that contaminated soils have been successfully removed.

 

Soil Decontamination and Validation

If there is a risk of soil contamination, the area should be visually inspected by an independent Competent Person, if any ACM is detected:

• The soil must be decontaminated using risk-based methods advised by the Competent Person.
• Topsoil should be dampened down, to minimise the generation of dust, and all visible pieces of ACM debris should be picked up individually, so that the risk of ACM fibre inhalation is controlled.
• If individual debris removal is not practicable, the contaminated topsoil should be removed to a depth at which there is no visible ACM contamination / debris (typically top 10 cm)
• Soil screening should include mechanical tilling, multidirectional raking, and hand-picking to remove fragments greater than 7 mm x 7 mm.

Screening and Testing

Soil samples taken for the purpose of assessing ACM contamination must be screened through a <7 mm sieve to separate ACM fragments and fines. Laboratory analysis and on-site validation by a Competent Person are required to confirm soils meet clearance criteria (no visible ACM fragments >7 mm and asbestos fines below 0.001% w/w).

 

Remediation Options

Managed insitu (i.e. buried) –

• NSW, QLD, VIC - Develop and implement a remediation action plan in consultation with geotechnical consultant and relevant authority.
• WA - noting planning, methodology in consultation with a Competent Land contamination consultant and approval from client / landowner consent, and/or an appointed Contaminated Sites Auditor (if the site is a registered contaminated site) would be required"

Treated on-site –

• Hand-pick) any visible ACM fragments (eg. using emu-bob method or other similar tools).
• Use mechanical tilling / screening to separate ACM fragments from soil stockpiles.
• Conduct testing and validation by a Competent Person (via on-site screening through a < 7mm sieve) of soil stockpiles and lab analysis prior to prescribing the soil as non-contaminated with ACM.

Removed off-site –

• Excavate contaminated soil to a depth where visible ACM fragments are no longer present.
• Transport contaminated soil in licensed trucks to licensed landfill facilities.
• Perform onsite visual clearance inspection, testing and validation (via on-site screening through a <7mm sieve) by a Competent Person to prescribe the soil as uncontaminated.

 

Disposal and ACM Waste Management

NSW, QLD and VIC - ACM impacted soils and ACM (friable and non-friable) must be disposed of to a waste facility licensed under the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to accept ACM waste.

WA - ACM impacted soils and ACM (friable and non-friable) must be disposed of to a waste facility licensed to accept ACM waste, in accordance with the ‘Landfill Waste Classifications and Waste Definitions’ – classified as a Special Waste (Type 1).

Maintain waste tracking documentation and regulatory reporting as required.

Documents and Forms

Australia

• Remediation action plan or asbestos management plan
• HAZMAT survey & report
• Detailed Site Investigation report
• Clearance report
• Asbestos Removal Control Plan
• SWMS



Queensland

• Asbestos Clearance Certificate WHS 010-012
• Asbestos removal area entry permit WHS 010-001

Document Control

Version 1 August 2019 – New Procedure

Version 2 August 2025 –

• Updated to incorporate WA legislative changes.
• Additional requirements for soil decontamination and validation, screening and testing, remedial options and disposal and ACM waste management