Friable asbestos

If the asbestos has deteriorated, been disturbed or if asbestos dust is present, the likelihood that airborne asbestos fibres will be released into the air is increased. If there is a risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres, you must control the risk (eg by removing the asbestos). In circumstances where asbestos is removed, you need to revise your asbestos register.

If a workplace needs friable asbestos removed then this must be performed by a Class A licensed asbestos removalist. The person with management or control of the workplace needs to arrange this removal.

If the friable asbestos material has been introduced to the workplace in a piece of plant or equipment then whoever has management or control over that plant or equipment is responsible for arranging the removal by a licensed asbestos removalist.

Total quantity less than 10m²

An employer, a self-employed person or a person who manages or controls a workplace (eg a commercial property owner) can conduct a limited amount of asbestos removal work without a licence if:

• the asbestos-containing material is non-friable and
• the area of asbestos-containing material to be removed does not exceed 10m² in total.

Although unlicensed removal of asbestos is permitted in these circumstances, it is generally not recommended as it may be safer for a licensed asbestos removalist to perform the removal work.

Further information on the requirements for training, signage, personal protective equipment, decontamination processes, packaging of asbestos waste and disposal requirements can be found in the Code of Practice – How to safely remove asbestos.

Total quantity more than 10m²

You must engage an appropriately licensed asbestos removalist to remove more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos from a workplace. An independent licensed asbestos assessor must also be engaged to undertake air monitoring of the removal area for both Class A and Class B removal work.

The type of licensed asbestos removalist you engage depends on the type and quantity of asbestos or asbestos containing material being removed.

Asbestos removalists must be appropriately licensed and comply with all the relevant duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA).

Class A asbestos removal licence holders can remove all asbestos-containing materials including friable asbestos.

Class B asbestos removal licence holders can remove any amount of non-friable asbestos.

Class A or Class B removal licence holders must comply with the following requirements for any work undertaken at workplaces or residential premises:

• notify SafeWork SA of asbestos removal 5 days prior to commencing work
• ensure air monitoring is carried out by an independent licensed asbestos assessor immediately before the asbestos removal work commences and while the licensed asbestos removal work is carried out
• provide employees with information, training, personal protective clothing and equipment, and medical examinations
• ensure a supervisor oversees the removal work
• obtain the workplace's asbestos register (for workplaces)
• prepare an asbestos removal control plan before starting any work
• provide appropriate information to various parties, such as neighbours or businesses in the immediate vicinity
• use specific methods for removal, waste containment and waste disposal
• use signs and barricades
• provide decontamination facilities
• ensure an independent competent person, or for class A asbestos removal work a licensed asbestos assessor, undertakes a clearance inspection and issues a clearance certificate when the licensed asbestos removal work is completed
• ensure all asbestos waste is disposed of safely and legally.

Once the licensed removal work is complete, a clearance inspection and a clearance certificate are required before the workplace can re-open.

See the How to safely remove asbestos – Code of Practice for more detailed information on the duties for licensed asbestos removalists. The Code of Practice requirements apply to duty holders including the licensed asbestos removalist, the person who commissioned the asbestos removal work and the person with management and control of the workplace.

Asbestos assessors are licensed by SafeWork SA for air monitoring and clearance inspections.

If you are undertaking Class A asbestos removal work, you must engage an asbestos assessor to undertake a clearance inspection.

An independent competent person (with relevant training) can undertake clearance inspections for Class B removal work.

A clearance certificate is issued following all licensed asbestos removal work as evidence that reoccupation is safe to occur. Clearance for reoccupation includes both a visual inspection and air monitoring results that are below 0.01 f/mL.

Workplace is a business

The PCBU who commissions licensed asbestos removal work at a workplace is responsible for arranging the air monitoring at that workplace.

In a workplace, the person who commissions the work must distribute the results of the air monitoring to:

• workers at the workplace
• health and safety representatives for workers at the workplace
• a person conducting a business or undertaking at the workplace
• other persons at the workplace.

The PCBU commissioning the asbestos removal work must ensure the licensed asbestos assessor is engaged independently to the licenced asbestos removalist.

Workplace is a residential premises

If the workplace is a residential premises, the licensed asbestos removalist carrying out the removal work is responsible for arranging the air monitoring.

The licensed asbestos removalist must distribute the results of the air monitoring to:

• the person who commissioned the asbestos removal work
• workers at the workplace
• health and safety representatives for workers at the workplace
• a person conducting a business or undertaking at the workplace
• the occupier of the residential premises
• the owner of the residential premises
• other persons at the workplace.

The PCBU commissioning the asbestos removal work must ensure the licensed asbestos assessor is engaged independently to the licenced asbestos removalist.

See the How to safely remove asbestos – Code of Practice for more detailed information on the duties for licensed asbestos removalists. The Code of Practice requirements apply to duty holders including the licensed asbestos removalist, the person who commissioned the asbestos removal work and the person with management and control of the workplace.

Removal of asbestos by a contractor, builder or tradie who does not hold a Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence is permitted if the asbestos being removed is:

• 10m² or less of non-friable asbestos (approximately the size of a bedroom wall)
• asbestos containing debris that is not more than a minor contamination and is associated with the removal of 10m² or less of non-friable asbestos.

The 10m² threshold is based on the project and cannot be broken down in 10m² lots.

Although unlicensed removal of asbestos is permitted in these circumstances, it is generally not recommended as it may be safer for a licensed asbestos removalist to perform the removal work.

Any asbestos removal work undertaken by a contractor, builder or tradie must be in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) and ensures appropriate risk management controls are taken to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos or any other hazards.

Workers carrying out asbestos removal work, including self-employed persons, must be trained in the identification and safe handling of asbestos prior to carrying out asbestos removal work without a licence. An asbestos awareness course or the non-friable removal unit of competency would be considered appropriate training.

The PCBU that commissions the asbestos removal work must ensure that the work is carried out by a competent person who has been trained in the identification and safe handling of, and suitable control measures for, asbestos and ACM.

Further information on the requirements for training, signage, personal protective equipment, decontamination processes and packaging of asbestos waste can be found in the How to safely remove asbestos – Code of Practice.

By law, asbestos waste must be taken to a licensed transfer stations or waste depots. It is recommended that you contact your local transfer station or waste depot for advice. Go to the EPAs Wastes containing asbestos – removal, transport and disposal for a list of licensed waste facilities.

To assist you with finding a licensed asbestos assessor, licensed asbestos removalist or supervisor SafeWork SA publishes the following lists:

• Register of Class A - Asbestos Removal Licence Holders
• Register of Class B - Asbestos Removal Licence Holders
• List of Asbestos Assessors

SafeWork SA also holds a register of the name of each supervisor as notified to SafeWork SA in relation to an asbestos removal licence.

As the costs can vary significantly it is recommended that you contact a few assessors and removalists to obtain comprehensive quotes for work to be done, giving consideration to the requirements listed above.