Types of asbestos
Asbestos is commonly referred to by three types:
- chrysotile ('white' asbestos - belonging to the serpentine group)
- crocidolite ('blue' asbestos - belonging to the amphibole group)
- amosite ('brown' or 'grey' asbestos - belonging to the amphibole group)
Under the law, asbestos-containing materials (ACM?s) are divided into two types:
- bonded asbestos-containing material (bonded asbestos) contains a bonding compound reinforced with asbestos fibres
- friable asbestos-containing material (friable asbestos) is asbestos-containing material that, when dry, is or may become crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure.
Bonded asbestos
Bonded asbestos can be found in products such as asbestos cement sheeting commonly used in building materials between 1940s to the late 1980s.
Other bonded asbestos products include:
- profiled sheets used on roofs and walls and flat sheets in flashings
- imitation brick cladding
- roof shingles
- water or flue pipes
- plaster patching compounds
- textured paint
- vinyl floor tiles
- friction products such as brake shoes, disc pads, clutch housings or elevator brakes.
Removal of 10m2 or more of bonded asbestos-containing material at a workplace can only be done -
- By the holder of a bonded asbestos removal certificate (also known as a 'B' class certificate); or
- under the authority of a relevant person's certificate to remove friable ACM (also known as an 'A' class certificate).
'B' class certificates are issued to applicants who can demonstrate they are familiar with the practices and procedures for removing bonded asbestos set out in the asbestos removal code.
For more information, refer to Information Paper AR3: Approved criteria for a certificate to perform work to remove bonded asbestos containing material (PDF, 34 kB).
Competency can be demonstrated by:
- producing a certificate for asbestos removal work issued under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 before 1 February 2002
- producing a statement of attainment issued by a registered training organisation for a course which covers competencies for the removal of bonded asbestos material as set out in Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002(2005)]
- passing an exam assessed by an authorised accredited provider or registered training organisation.
A person who removes less than 10m2 of bonded asbestos material does not require a certificate, however, that person must be competent and comply with the practices procedures and requirements set out in the asbestos removal code.
More on removing asbestos
More on working safely with asbestos
Friable asbestos
Friable asbestos is easily crumbled or reduced to powder by hand.
Common forms of friable asbestos materials include:
- sprayed on fireproofing/soundproofing/thermal insulation
- acoustic plaster soundproofing
- thermal insulation (not sprayed on).
Under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008, removal of friable ACM must be done:
- under the authority of a certificate to remove friable ACM (also known as an 'A' class certificate); and
- as set out in the asbestos removal code.
More on removing asbestos
More on working safely with asbestos
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