News & Insights
Asbestos Awareness Week - Asbestos Removal From Damaged Assets, Demolition Sites & Refurbishments
In 2020, Asbestos Awareness Week runs from 23 - 29 November with the theme ‘asbestos lurks in more places than you’d think’, supplemented with the sub-theme ‘before you start, be aware’. The campaign messaging has three parts:
- KNOW the health risks of asbestos exposure
- BE AWARE of where asbestos might be found before you start work
- CALL a professional to check, remove and dispose of it safely.
This year, Greencap is sharing short pieces about asbestos regulations, requirements and best practices. This fourth piece focuses the importance of asbestos removal from damaged assets and from sites prior to demolition or refurbishment works.
Prior topics:
- Asbestos in the Workplace & Your Requirements
- Asbestos Labelling & Signage
- Maintaining & Reviewing Registers & Management Plans
Asbestos Removal From Damaged Assets, Demolition Sites & Refurbishments
If an asset is known or assumed to contain asbestos which has been found in a poor condition or may be deemed as a high priority by a competent person, asbestos removal should be sought immediately. The competent person should prepare/update the asbestos register, highlighting recommendations and next steps.
If the Employer or Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) is conducting refurbishment and/or demolition works, a Demolition Refurbishment Audit of the asset must be conducted prior to works and any asbestos containing materials found which are likely to be disturbed must be removed by an appropriate (Class A or Class B) licenced asbestos removal contractor (LARC).
The employer/PCBU must ensure that the removal works are carried out safely and completed by competent and trained LARC’s. It is mandatory to have a licenced asbestos assessor (LAA) such as one of our hazmat team members at Greencap, conduct asbestos fibre air monitoring during the removal of all friable material and upon the completion of removal works to ensure that controls put in place are sufficient and that the area(s) is/are safe for re-occupancy. All removal works must be conducted in a manner which presents no risk to you, your employees or the general public.
The removed asbestos waste should be wrapped/bagged in 200 micron metres thick plastic and labelled with asbestos warning signage. The waste must be disposed safely in an EPA permitted landfill by the LARC.
You must obtain an Asbestos Clearance Certificate by a competent person/LAA and update the asbestos register and asbestos management plan with regards to the removal works which have been conducted. It is important to keep a record of all documentation including Asbestos Clearance Certificates and Asbestos Fibre Air Monitoring reports.
Further Reading
Greencap Partners with Reflections as National Risk Management Supporter
Greencap is proud to announce its appointment as National Risk Management Supporter of Reflections - a not-for-profit committed to reducing the impact of asbestos on the community.
Learn in depth about asbestos risks, controls and more in Greencap's Online Asbestos Awareness Training course
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The Asbestos Register – A cornerstone for managing asbestos
Greencap acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.