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 in Buildings and Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) - General

Where an unexpected find occurs involving the suspected presence of ACM the following applies:

• Work to cease in immediate area
• Employee to notify MPX Supervisor
• Area must be barricaded and signposted (refer to above section)
• A photograph of the suspected ACM and a sample must be taken
• Where required contact a Competent Person to confirm the suspected ACM

• R Information must be recorded on ‘Hazardous Materials and Unexpected Finds Register’  and
• R If required, the ACM sample must be sent for further confirmatory testing (laboratory analysis), this will only occur if the Competent Person concludes that the find is ACM, after visual inspection.
• If the sample is confirmed as being ACM after testing, or if MPX believes after a visual inspection that the unexpected find is ACM, then handling, removal and disposal requirements are described below.

Managing ACM- Non-Friable less than 10m²

NSW - Follow the procedure for Managing Friable ACM and Non-Friable ACM (greater than 10 m2 )

VIC, WA and QLD - The following is to occur for non-friable ACM less than 10 m²:

• ACM removal should only be permitted if authorised by the MPX Site Manager
• Other work must cease in the immediate area where ACM or suspected ACM is located
• Area must be barricaded and signposted
• Where required contact a Competent Person to confirm the suspected ACM
• Where practical the area should be kept damp using water (wet spray method)
• ACM removal to follow safe working methods specified in Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002 (2005) or regulatory requirements
• Associated ACM debris must be removed and placed into appropriate ACM waste receptacle (refer to ‘Disposal and ACM Waste Management’)
• ACM debris must be disposed of (refer to ‘Disposal of ACM)

R Records must be maintained

R A visual inspection must be undertaken by a Licensed Contractor and the area declared clear of ACM prior to removal of any barricading and warning signage.

Managing Friable ACM and Non-Friable ACM (greater than 10 m²)

The following must occur for all friable ACM (irrespective of quantity) and any non-friable ACM greater than 10 m²:

• ACM removal should only be permitted if authorised by the MPX Site Manager
• Other work must cease in the immediate area where ACM or suspected ACM is located
• Area must be barricaded and signposted
• Where required contact a Competent Person to confirm the suspected ACM
• Air monitoring programs must be implemented (friable only) prior to commencing removal
• ACM removal to follow safe working methods specified in Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002 (2005) or regulatory requirements
• Associated ACM debris must be removed and placed into appropriate ACM waste receptacle
• Refer to ‘Disposal and ACM Waste Management' under ACM in Buildings

R ACM debris must be disposed of (refer to ‘Disposal of ACM Waste Management’). Records must be maintained.

A visual inspection must be undertaken by a Competent Person and the area declared clear of ACM prior to removal of any barricading and warning signage.

R A clearance certificate must be issued by the Competent Person, refer to ‘Monitoring and Clearance Inspections’.

R Where friable ACM is removed, control monitoring and clearance monitoring records must be issued by the Competent Person

The excavator operator shall be “inducted” in to the relevant safe work method statement for removing the asbestos and work under the supervision of a Licenced Asbestos Removalist – with appropriate PPE, etc. An air monitor maybe setup in the cabin whilst the works are being conducted.

The excavator must be “decontaminated” once the task has been completed and the Competent Person has issued a clearance certificate for the area.

ACM Inadvertent Potential Exposure

WA - Refer to ACM Inadvertent Potential Exposure procedure.

Document Control

Version 1 August 2019 – New Procedure