Asbestos

Licensing requirements depend on the type and quantity of asbestos being removed. You must hold a Class A asbestos removal licence to remove any amount of friable asbestos (asbestos that can be crumbled by hand). You must hold a Class B licence to remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos. For removal of less than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, you don't need a licence but you must be a competent person who has completed appropriate training, and you must follow specific procedures outlined in the Code of Practice. All licensed asbestos removal work must be notified to your state or territory work health and safety regulator at least five days before work commences. Even for unlicensed small-scale removal, you must still implement control measures, use appropriate PPE including P2 respirators, prevent contamination, and dispose of waste at licensed facilities. Never attempt asbestos removal without proper training—the health consequences are severe and irreversible, and penalties for non-compliance can exceed $300,000 for individuals.

Before commencing any asbestos work, you must have several critical documents in place. First, an asbestos register must identify all known or suspected asbestos-containing materials in the workplace, their location, condition, and type. Second, an asbestos management plan outlines how asbestos risks will be managed. Third, a Safe Work Method Statement specific to the asbestos work being undertaken details the procedures, control measures, emergency procedures, and competencies required. For licensed removal work, you must submit notification to your state or territory regulator at least five days prior, including details of the work, location, duration, and licensed removalist details. Workers must hold current asbestos removal licences and training certificates. You need confirmation from a licensed asbestos assessor that materials contain asbestos through testing if not already documented. After completion, a clearance certificate from an independent licensed asbestos assessor is mandatory before the area can be reoccupied. All documentation must be retained for at least five years, and asbestos exposure records for workers must be kept for 30 years. Missing any of these documents can result in immediate work stop notices and significant penalties.

Penalties for non-compliant asbestos work are among the most severe in workplace health and safety legislation due to the catastrophic health consequences. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, individuals can face fines up to $300,000 and corporations can face fines exceeding $3 million for Category 1 offences involving reckless conduct exposing persons to risk of death or serious injury. In addition to financial penalties, individuals can face imprisonment for up to five years for serious breaches. State and territory work health and safety regulators regularly prosecute unsafe asbestos work, with numerous cases resulting in substantial penalties. Beyond statutory penalties, businesses face work stop orders halting all site operations, potential loss of licenses to operate, increased insurance premiums, and civil liability for worker health damage that may manifest decades later. Individuals who conduct unlicensed asbestos removal can face immediate prohibition notices preventing them from working in the industry. The reputational damage from asbestos-related prosecutions can be devastating for businesses, affecting their ability to tender for projects and maintain client relationships. Most seriously, the personal consequences of unsafe asbestos work include developing fatal asbestos-related diseases and living with the knowledge that family members or colleagues may have been exposed through your actions.

In Australia, any building or structure constructed or renovated before December 31, 2003, should be assumed to contain asbestos until proven otherwise through testing by a licensed asbestos assessor. Asbestos was extensively used in Australian construction from the 1940s through the 1980s, with use declining through the 1990s until a complete ban in 2003. Common asbestos-containing materials include fibro cement sheeting used for external walls and eaves, asbestos cement (AC) pipes for water and sewerage, corrugated asbestos cement roofing, vinyl floor tiles and their adhesive, textured ceiling coatings (often called 'popcorn ceilings'), internal wall linings particularly in wet areas, fence sheeting, electrical meter boards, window putty, carpet underlay, and pipe insulation or lagging. Visual identification alone is insufficient—materials suspected of containing asbestos must be tested by a NATA-accredited laboratory through sampling conducted by a licensed asbestos assessor. Before any demolition, refurbishment, or maintenance work on pre-2004 buildings, you must arrange for an asbestos inspection and have an asbestos register prepared. This register must identify the location, type, condition, and extent of all asbestos-containing materials. The register must be readily accessible to all workers and must be reviewed and updated whenever new asbestos is identified or existing asbestos is removed. Never drill, cut, sand, or break materials suspected of containing asbestos without first having them professionally tested and implementing appropriate controls.

Personal protective equipment requirements for asbestos work are specific and mandatory. At a minimum for any asbestos work, you must wear a P2 respirator that has been fit-tested to ensure an effective seal—standard dust masks are completely inadequate and provide no protection. For higher-risk work or licensed removal, a P3 respirator or supplied air respirator may be required. Disposable coveralls must be worn to prevent contamination of personal clothing—these must be Type 5 Category III coveralls that cover the whole body and have elasticated cuffs, ankles, and hood. The coveralls must be disposed of as asbestos waste after use and never reused or taken off-site. Footwear must be dedicated work boots that remain on site, or disposable boot covers must be worn over regular footwear. Gloves are mandatory and should be nitrile or similar material that provides adequate grip while being easily decontaminated or disposed of. Eye protection may be required depending on the specific work tasks. Crucially, all PPE must be properly donned before entering the asbestos work area and must not be removed until after decontamination in a designated area. Eating, drinking, or smoking while wearing PPE is strictly prohibited as this breaks the face seal of respirators. All PPE except respirators becomes asbestos waste and must be disposed of appropriately. Respirators must be cleaned and maintained according to manufacturer instructions and stored in sealed containers. Facial hair that prevents an effective respirator seal means the worker cannot enter asbestos work areas—clean-shaven faces are mandatory for respirator use.