Safely Remove Asbestos

Enforcement-heavy. Class A always notifiable. Independent licensed assessor for air monitoring + clearance. Wet methods + decontamination + double-bagged disposal. Don't shortcut any of it.

Transition note — WES → WEL (1 Dec 2026)

• Until 30 November 2026: comply with the existing WES for respirable asbestos (0.1 fibres/mL 8-hour TWA).
• From 1 December 2026: SWA classifies asbestos as one of the 33 Non-Threshold Genotoxic Carcinogens (NTGCs) with no numerical exposure limit — duty becomes eliminate or replace in the standard hierarchy.
• The operational clearance air-monitoring thresholds used in this Code (0.01 / 0.02 f/mL — see §11) derive from the Code itself, not from the WES list, and remain in force post-transition.
• Watch for SWA guidance on regulating NTGCs under the model WHS laws (under development through the transition).

Quick Take

• Class A licence: any quantity / type, including friable + ACD.
• Class B licence: non-friable + associated ACD only.
• No licence: < 10 m² non-friable, or minor ACD.
• Independent Licensed Asbestos Assessor (LAA) required for Class A air monitoring + clearance.
• Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP) is mandatory for licensed work (Reg 466).
• Air-monitoring action: 0.01 fibres/mL (review controls); > 0.02 fibres/mL = stop work + notify regulator.

1. Licence classes

Class	Scope
Class A	Any quantity / type — incl. friable asbestos + asbestos-contaminated dust (ACD).
Class B	Non-friable ACM (any amount) + ACD associated with non-friable removal only.
No licence	< 10 m² non-friable, or minor ACD. Still subject to Chapter 4 controls (wet methods, decon, PPE, disposal).

Class B supervisor must be readily available (contactable, on site within ~ 20 min).

2. Notifiable removal

• Class A — always notifiable.
• Class B — some quantities notifiable (jurisdictional thresholds apply).
• Written notice ≥ 5 days before commencement, stating:
  • Business name, ABN, licence number.
  • Supervisor + LAA names.
  • Client + workplace details.
  • Friable / non-friable classification.
  • Enclosure method (if friable).
  • Estimated quantity, worker count, competency.
• Emergency removal (unplanned exposure / equipment failure): notify regulator by phone immediately; written statement within 24 h.

![[safely_remove_asbestos_img001.jpg|520]] Figure 1 — Standard "Asbestos Removal Area" warning sign per AS 1319. Posted at every entry to the work area.

3. Independent Licensed Asbestos Assessor (LAA)

Required for Class A:

• Air monitoring during removal.
• Clearance inspections.
• Clearance certificate issuance.

May also identify ACM, conduct risk assessments, review registers (if competent).

4. Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP) — Reg 466

Mandatory for licensed work. Documents:

• Nature & scope of removal.
• Hazard identification + risk controls.
• Roles, responsibilities, supervision.
• Enclosure design + smoke-test integrity (friable).
• Decontamination facilities + procedures.
• Waste containment + disposal route.
• PPE / RPE selection + fit-testing.
• Air monitoring + action levels.
• Emergency procedures.
• Health & safety induction.
• Contact details for all parties.

5. Health monitoring of removal workers

Time	Component
Baseline (pre-commencement)	Demographic / occupational / medical history; standardised respiratory questionnaire; spirometry; physical exam (chest).
Ongoing	At least every 2 yrs while exposure risk continues.
Post-removal	As determined by medical practitioner.
Records	Confidential, 40-year retention.

PCBU pays all costs. Worker receives a copy. Regulator notified if disease / injury indicated.

6. PPE / RPE

Coveralls — disposable Type 5 or 6; discard after each shift if contaminated.

Respiratory protection — by task:

Removal type	Minimum RPE
Friable, dry method	Air-line respirator, belt-mounted backup filter; positive-pressure for medical-contraindication workers.
Friable, wet method	Full-face P3 negative-pressure or PAPR.
Non-friable	Half-face P2 minimum (full-face P3 preferred when uncertain).
Glove bag	Half-face P1 acceptable.

![[safely_remove_asbestos_img005.jpg|520]] Figure 2 — PAPR (Powered Air-Purifying Respirator). Preferred for prolonged friable work; battery + blower draws air through HEPA filter into a hood.

• Quantitative fit-test before first use; repeat when changing model / size.
• Pre-use inspection: straps, face piece, valves, seals.
• Replace filters when damaged or breathing resistance increases.
• Non-disposable RPE decontaminated before leaving the work area.
• Clean-shaven required for tight-fitting RPE.

Gloves & boots: heavy-duty latex / nitrile; disposable or decontaminated.

7. Decontamination unit (3-stage for friable)

![[safely_remove_asbestos_img003.jpg|520]] Figure 3 — Three-stage mobile decontamination unit. Dirty area → shower → clean area, with airlocks (one-way airflow). All shower water filtered to ≤ 5 µm before sewer discharge.

Design

• Dirty (immediate post-work clothing removal).
• Shower (water + soap + towels).
• Clean (redress in clean clothes).
• Adjacent to the enclosed work area; directly connected by airlock.
• Hinged flap doors (one-way valve airflow).
• All water filtered to ≤ 5 µm before sewer discharge.
• No smoking, eating, drinking in any zone.

Remote unit (when not adjacent): plus a 3-stage isolated changing area attached to the enclosure; workers strip outer PPE in enclosure, transit in fresh coveralls to the remote facility. Access route air-monitored, barricaded.

8. Wet methods (preferred)

![[safely_remove_asbestos_img002.jpg|520]] Figure 4 — Wet spray method: water + surfactant applicator saturates the asbestos surface continuously during removal. Cuts fibre release dramatically; doesn't eliminate it (RPE still required).

• Wet spray: fine mist / spray with surfactant; saturate before cutting; maintain wet throughout. Pair with HEPA H-class vacuum.
• Saturation / water injection (friable): inject water via multi-hole applicator head; soak through full depth.
• Dry method (only when wet not feasible — electrical hazard, water damage): still requires negative-pressure enclosure + Class A licence for friable; air-line RPE + backup filter.

9. Glove bag (small, contained jobs)

![[safely_remove_asbestos_img004.jpg|520]] Figure 5 — Glove bag method for small lagging removal. Sealed bag with built-in gloves and tool access; HEPA vacuum evacuates fibres post-removal. Standard for valve / pipe joints.

10. Negative-pressure enclosure (friable removal)

Construction

• Heavy-duty polyethylene sheeting (≥ 200 µm, new, not recycled).
• Enclose all walls, windows, doors, ceiling; perspex viewing panels.
• Airlocks at decon entry (double overlapping polyethylene).
• Floor protection (woven polyethylene, 300 mm overlap, taped).
• All movables removed; fixtures covered & sealed.

Negative pressure system

• Exhaust units draw air outward; net inward airflow at openings.
• Tested for leaks before commencement (smoke test).
• Dismantled only after air monitoring ≤ 0.01 fibres/mL.

11. Air monitoring during removal

Result (fibres/mL)	Action
< 0.01	Continue current controls.
0.01–0.02	Review & investigate; implement additional controls.
> 0.02	Stop work immediately. Notify regulator phone + written within 24 h. Investigate (enclosure leaks, seal failures, equipment defects). Extend isolation. Wet-wipe + vacuum surrounding area. Re-seal + smoke-test. Resume only after monitoring ≤ 0.01 fibres/mL.

Conducted by:

• Class A: Independent LAA (mandatory).
• Class B: LAA or competent person.

Results communicated to: workers, HSRs, other PCBUs, occupants (residential).

Records: 30 years, accessible.

12. Clearance inspection & certificate

Mandatory after licensed work, before re-occupation.

• Class A: Independent LAA only.
• Class B / non-friable > 10 m²: Independent competent person.

Includes:

• Visual inspection of enclosure dismantling (if used).
• Surface contamination assessment.
• Lab analysis of samples if needed.
• Confirms fibre levels safe for re-occupation.

No clearance certificate = no re-occupation. Legal requirement.

13. Waste disposal

![[safely_remove_asbestos_img006.jpg|520]] Figure 6 — Asbestos waste drum: "Danger: Asbestos — Do not break seal." GHS-compliant labelling; placed top + side of drums and bins.

• Double bagging — inner sealed with cloth tape ("goose-necking"); exterior decontaminated and wiped before removal from work area; outer bag applied outside decon zone.
• Polyethylene bags ≥ 200 µm, new; max 1200 × 900 mm; ≤ half full.
• Drums / bins ≥ 200 µm polyethylene-lined; solid, good condition, sealed rims.
• Skips / vehicle trays double-lined polyethylene or double-bagged contents.
• Licensed disposal at an EPA-approved asbestos landfill, transported by a licensed carrier — as soon as reasonably practicable.
• Contaminated PPE: sealed labelled container; disposed as asbestos waste or laundered at a specialist facility (never home laundry); clothing removed damp, wetted, bagged before transit.

14. Emergency procedures (unplanned exposure)

1. Stop work.
2. Notify regulator (phone + written).
3. Investigate cause.
4. Implement controls to prevent further release.
5. Resume only after monitoring ≤ 0.01 fibres/mL.

15. Records (long-term)

Record	Retention
Health monitoring	40 years (confidential)
Air monitoring	30 years (accessible to workers)
Training & competency	Employment + 5 yrs
Asbestos Removal Control Plan	On file during work
Daily decon / supervisory log	On file
Clearance certificate	On file (and copy to client)

16. Common pitfalls / quick wins

Do

• Notify the regulator 5 days ahead for Class A. Emergency exception is for actual emergencies, not poor planning.
• Use independent LAA — same firm doing the removal can't sign off the clearance.
• Pair wet method with HEPA vacuum — wet alone doesn't capture all fibres.
• Smoke-test the enclosure before removal starts.
• Stop and notify the moment air monitoring breaches > 0.02 fibres/mL.
• Send contaminated PPE to a specialist laundry; never home-launder.
• Quantitative fit-test annually; record per worker, per RPE model.

Don't

• Reuse polyethylene sheeting — pinholes invisible to the eye.
• Run a friable removal without a 3-stage decon adjacent to the enclosure.
• Re-occupy without a clearance certificate.
• Dispose of asbestos waste at a non-licensed facility.
• Skip baseline health monitoring "to save time".
• Treat 9 m² of non-friable as "below the licence threshold" without confirming jurisdictional rules — some are stricter.

17. Cross-references

• Within §07: [[manage_and_control_asbestos]], [[respirable_crystalline_silica]]
• Renovation / demolition: [[demolition_work]], [[general_construction_work]] (Reg 291 HRCW: any work likely to disturb asbestos)
• Confined-space rescue principles: [[confined_spaces]]
• Foundations: [[risk_management_process]]
• Glossary (Class A / B licence, LAA, ACM, ACD, PAPR, HEPA): [[glossary_and_key_concepts]]

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Source: safely_remove_asbestos.md (Safe Work Australia, model Code of Practice, CC-BY-NC 4.0). Edition: July 2020. WES → WEL transition 1 Dec 2026: asbestos reclassified as NTGC with no numerical limit; eliminate / replace duty applies. WES (0.1 f/mL 8-h TWA) remains in force until 30 Nov 2026. Code-derived 0.01 / 0.02 f/mL clearance thresholds unaffected. Last verified against SWA: 2026-04-28.