PEER CONSTRUCTIONS INTRANET

Asbestos management procedure

Asbestos should be removed where reasonably practicable before any work is undertaken in the affected area. If it is not possible to remove asbestos, adequate control measures must be implemented.

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to minimise the risk of exposure of workers to asbestos or asbestos containing material through work or unplanned exposure.

This procedure applies to all PEER Construction workers.

 

Process

The process has the following components.

Asbestos register and management plan

PEER Construction will develop an asbestos register which will include:

  • any asbestos containing material (ACM) identified
  • the date on which the asbestos or ACM was identified
  • the location, type and condition of the asbestos
  • results of analysis.

An asbestos management plan will be developed to set out how asbestos or ACM that has been identified will be managed. The plan will be reviewed every 5 years.

The management plan will include;

  • a link to the asbestos register and the locations of signs and labels
  • control measures and the decision relating to them
  • timetable for managing risks
  • identification of persons with responsibilities under the plan including workers carrying out work involving asbestos, consultation, information and training responsibilities
  • procedures for detailing accidents, incidents or emergencies relating to asbestos
  • procedures for air monitoring if required.

The management plan must be kept at the worksite and be readily available to workers or their representatives and any person who may be exposed to the asbestos in the course of their work.

An asbestos register is not required if the workplace was constructed after 31 December 2003. If asbestos is identified during any work the person with responsibility for the workplace must be notified and a register prepared. If it is a domestic dwelling the homeowner or landlord must be notified of the presence of asbestos and appropriate action taken. If there is no register at the site and the building was constructed prior to 31 December 2003 you should assume that asbestos is present and appropriate action taken.

Refer to the Asbestos register form.

Work involving asbestos
If asbestos is identified or assumed to be present, you must review the asbestos register and decide whether work can be done without disturbing the asbestos. Where reasonably practicable, asbestos must be removed before working near that asbestos.
Removal of asbestos

Removal of asbestos must be carried out by a licensed removalist. The only exemptions to the requirements to use a licensed removalist are:

  • sampling
  • removal of less than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos containing material.
In the event of asbestos work being required

If work is to be conducted around or with asbestos, appropriate control measures must be implemented. If there is no asbestos register or if the building is a domestic dwelling and built before 1 January 2004 you must assume that asbestos is present. You can then take steps to identify or treat the risk of asbestos. When working with asbestos, you must remove it where reasonably practicable before starting work.

Before any work that may disturb asbestos starts and to minimise the number of people in the area you must ensure labels and signs are ready at the workplace and everyone carrying out asbestos work has the:

  • appropriate training
  • correct tools
  • PPE and clothing
  • decontamination materials.

You must:

  • conduct a risk assessment before the work starts
  • develop and enforce Specific Safe Operating Instructions detailing the work methods to be adopted to minimise exposure and ensure removed materials are correctly disposed of
  • implement control measures
  • maintain accurate records.
Demolition and refurbishment

Before any demolition or refurbishment work is carried out, you must:

  • review the asbestos register
  • provide (or obtain) a copy of the asbestos register to the person carrying out the demolition or refurbishment work
  • ensure asbestos that is likely to be disturbed is identified and removed where reasonably practicable.
Domestic dwellings
If you are engaged to conduct refurbishment work at a domestic dwelling you must identify asbestos that is likely to be disturbed by the demolition or refurbishment work. You must ensure that the asbestos is removed where practicable.
Control measures
Effective control measures must be implemented to ensure all workers are aware of the presence of asbestos and to prevent any work that might expose workers to airborne asbestos. This includes controlling work activities affecting inaccessible areas listed in the asbestos register, such as wall cavities and ceiling spaces.
Training
PEER Construction will ensure any worker they believe will be involved in asbestos removal work or carrying out asbestos related work is trained in the identification, safe handling and control measures for asbestos and ACM.
Disposing of asbestos or ACM

Asbestos must be disposed of in heavy duty clear plastic bags marked with the label ‘Caution Asbestos – Do not open or damage bag. Do not inhale dust’. You must place all individual components and wiping rags in these bags and tie each bag separately before placing in a closed container.

Asbestos waste awaiting disposal must be stored in a closed container (for example, 60 or 200 litre steel drums with removable lids, or a sealed skip).

Asbestos waste can only be disposed of at an EPA licensed site. It must never be disposed of in the general waste system.

Emergencies

In the event of an accidental fibre release from asbestos containing material you may need to:

  • evacuate the area immediately to prevent or minimise contamination of people
  • restrict access to the area and place warning or caution signs
  • immediately contact SafeWork SA and await advice.
Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA)
How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace (2020) – Code of Practice
How to safely remove asbestos (2018) – Code of Practice

Asbestos management policy
Asbestos register

Asbestos
The asbestiform varieties of mineral silicates belonging to the serpentine or amphibole groups of rock-forming minerals, including actinolite asbestos, grunerite (or amosite) asbestos (brown), anthophyllite asbestos, chrysotile asbestos (white), crocidolite asbestos (blue) and tremolite asbestos.

Asbestos containing material (ACM)
Any material or thing that, as part of its design, contains asbestos.

Competent person
A person who has acquired, through training, qualification or experience, the knowledge and skills to carry out the task (i.e. an occupational hygienist or licensed removalist) see code of practice for more details.

Friable asbestos
Material that is in a powder form or that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry, and contains asbestos.

Non friable asbestos
Material containing asbestos that is not friable asbestos, including material containing asbestos fibres reinforced with a bonding compound.

Version 1.0 – Last updated 20/6/2022