Requirements for the removal of ACM
Requirements for removing any and all ACM
Requirements when removing friable asbestos
Requirements for removing any and all ACM
Part 13 Division 2 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 states requirements for the removal of all asbestos-containing materials that must be followed.
These requirements include:
- minimising the risk of exposure from asbestos fibres in asbestos removal area
- erecting a containment barrier
- monitoring the atmosphere
- controlling release of asbestos fibres
- stopping work if monitoring reveals asbestos fibres are more than 0.5 of the concentration stated in the national exposure standard for the asbestos
- dismantling containment barriers safely.
Part 13 Division 3 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 also states prohibitions on activities involving asbestos where:
- high-speed abrasive power or pneumatic tools such as angle grinders, sanders, saws and high-speed drills must never be used
- high-pressure spray equipment must never be used
- domestic vacuum cleaners should never be used, even if they have a HEPA filter.
Part 9 of the asbestos removal code states requirements for the removal of all asbestos-containing material (ACM) from workplaces that must be followed.
The requirements include:
- determining the asbestos removal boundaries
- security, signs and barriers
- electrical and lighting installations
- preparation activities, including:
- minimising the number of people present
- using the correct tools
- personal protective equipment (PPE)
- decontamination materials
- methods for removing ACM, which include:
- wet spray method (most preferred)
- dry removal method (least preferred)
- inspection of equipment
- personal protective equipment including:
- respiratory protective equipment
- protective clothing and footwear
- air monitoring
- decontamination
- waste removal
- disposal of asbestos waste.
Requirements when removing friable asbestos
The removal of friable asbestos in any quantity must be done:
- by holders of the appropriate asbestos removal licence
- in accordance with the general requirements for the removal of ACM from workplaces (outlined in the section above) and detailed in Part 9 of the asbestos removal code
and
- in accordance with the additional requirements for the removal of friable ACM detailed in Part 10 of the asbestos removal code
Both sets of requirements under the asbestos removal code must be met when removing friable asbestos.
Generally the asbestos removal code states ACM that are friable should be removed using wet methods wherever possible, and within an enclosed area.
In addition:
- all ventilation and air-conditioning networks servicing the asbestos work area should be closed down for the duration of the asbestos removal work and all vents thoroughly sealed to prevent the entry of airborne asbestos fibres into the duct network.
- upon completion, and after final cleaning of the asbestos work area, all mechanical ventilation filters for recirculated air should be replaced.
- care should be taken to ensure that airborne asbestos fibres cannot escape at points where pipes and conduits pass out of the asbestos work area.
Part 10 of the asbestos removal code provides descriptions of methods used in the removal of friable asbestos which should be followed including:
- negative pressure exhaust units – to prevent the escape of asbestos fibres from enclosed asbestos work areas
- enclosures for large-scale asbestos removal work – including design and installation considerations, testing of enclosures and decontamination
- mini-enclosures for small-scale asbestos removal work
- glove bag removal method
View the asbestos removal code (non-Queensland Government link)
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