Asbestos management plans
Part 8 of the asbestos management code (non-Queensland Government link) sets out the requirements for the development of an asbestos management plan for workplaces.
Under regulatory provisions in effect prior to 1 January 2006, workplaces built before 1 January 1990 were required to have an asbestos register in relation to asbestos materials used for thermal or acoustic insulation.
Under the current Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008, all workplaces in pre-1990 buildings must comply with the asbestos management code, which specifies obligations in relation to both friable and bonded asbestos containing material. Owners of non-building structures which have ACM installed must also comply with the asbestos management code, for example, fixed plant that has chrysotile asbestos-containing gaskets.
An asbestos management plan helps owners of pre-1990 buildings and other relevant structures prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.
The plan should set out clear aims, stating what is going to be done, when it is going to be done, and how it is going to be done.
It must include:
- the workplace's register of ACM
- details of maintenance or service work on the ACM including:
- who performed the work
- the dates it was done
- the scope of the work
- any clearance certificates (see clearance inspections, part 11.10 of the asbestos management code)
- how people at risk are informed about ACM in the workplace, the risks they pose and the control measures in place
- decisions about management options and the reasons for these decisions
- a timetable for action, including priorities and dates for reviewing risk assessments and specific circumstances that may affect the timetable
- monitoring arrangements
- the responsibilities of people involved in the plan
- training arrangements for workers and contractors
- a procedure for reviewing and updating the management plan and the register of ACM, including a timetable
- safe work methods.
The following general principles must be applied in developing an asbestos management plan:
- the goal is to eliminate asbestos from workplaces wherever practicable. Consideration should be given to removal of ACM during renovation, refurbishment or maintenance in preference to sealing, enclosing or encapsulating asbestos-containing material
- reasonable steps must be taken to label and record ACM in a register
- a risk assessment must be conducted for all identified or suspected ACM
- control measures must be put in place to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres
- there must be full consultation, information sharing and involvement during the development of each step of the asbestos management plan
- the identification of ACM and associated risk assessments should only be undertaken by competent people
- all people on premises where ACM are present must be fully informed about the consequences of exposure to asbestos and appropriate control measures.
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