Asbestos is one of the most well-known hazards demolition companies face on a daily basis. Invisible to the naked eye until it’s too late, this substance is believed to cause up to 4,000 deaths in Australia every year. The high mortality rate makes one thing extremely clear: it is crucial to implement the proper safety measures when handling asbestos.
It is for this reason that the Australian federal and state governments have introduced additional regulations for companies that regularly interact with asbestos. These rules may be irritating, but they are essential to ensure the safety of workers and bystanders, as well as the future of your own company.
So what are these special asbestos removal requirements? How can you comply with them? And why is everyone so afraid of asbestos, anyway?
What Is Asbestos – And Why Is It Dangerous?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used in construction and manufacturing. It’s not difficult to see why it was once such a popular building material: it’s durable, cheap, fire resistant, and provides excellent insulation. These properties made it seem like an ideal option for construction companies that wanted an easy solution.
Unfortunately, it is also incredibly toxic. The Australian government officially banned the use and sale of asbestos in 2003, after slowly phasing it out for the previous decade. Modern-built structures do not contain it. However, due to its popularity in years past, many buildings constructed before the year 2000 – and particularly before the 1990s, when it began to be phased out – do.
The factor that makes this material so dangerous is its structure. While it looks solid from a distance, asbestos is actually made up of tiny, sharp fibres. These are carcinogenic and will easily snap off, where they can enter the lungs. Asbestos is also not visible to the naked eye when used in construction work. Identification requires laboratory testing, which means your workers can be exposed to it before anyone even realises they are in danger.
The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure carries a variety of consequences. It is important to understand these, so you know why asbestos safety is so important.
- Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It often takes decades to develop, but cannot be treated effectively once symptoms show.
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres. It causes scarring of lung tissue, leading to breathing difficulties, increased vulnerability to respiratory infections, and often permanent damage.
- Lung Cancer: Like other carcinogens, asbestos drastically increases your risk of all lung cancers.
- Pleural Disorders: Pleural disorders affect the lung lining, causing a variety of negative effects on the body. Asbestos exposure has been linked to the development of these disorders.
Friable vs Non-Friable
There are many types of asbestos, which fit into two main categories:
- Friable: Friable asbestos can be easily crumbled into smaller pieces using only the pressure of a human hand.
- Non-Friable: Non-friable asbestos is mixed with a bonding agent that strengthens its structure.
Generally, friable asbestos is considered higher-risk due to the increased possibility of fragments splintering off. However, it is important to note that non-friable asbestos can become friable when damaged (which is a common risk factor during demolition work). Because of this, you should never treat any asbestos as “Safe”.
The Consequences of Asbestos Exposure on Your Business
The health risks listed above have a much greater impact on your demolition firm than you might expect:
- Operational Disruption: Many of the health complications caused by asbestos exposure take a while to show visible effects. But once they do, they are often severe and long-term. This means employees will be off work for months at a time, or even forced to quit. If your company is unprepared, this can result in extended operational disruptions.
- Higher Insurance Premiums: If your firm develops a track record of staff injury and illness, insurers will consider you high-risk. Eventually, this is likely to result in your insurance premiums being increased.
- Legal Issues: If staff feel that they suffered health problems as a direct result of negligence on your part, they may sue. Your company is also subject to strict work health and safety (WHS) requirements, which obligate you to implement common-sense worksite safety measures. Failure to do this can result in fines and other penalties. In the worst-case scenario, you could lose your demolition license entirely.
- Lost Trust: If staff consistently suffer health problems while working for you, this makes you appear irresponsible. Potential clients may think twice about signing a contract with your firm.
The Financial Fallout
Each of the issues listed above will have financial consequences for your firm. Whether you experience the immediate impact of a lawsuit, or the longer-term losses caused by rising premiums, failure to protect your workers will cost you. Over time your budget will become tighter, new investments will be harder to justify, and opportunities will vanish.
This can build up to create severe financial hardship which ultimately could endanger your business’ future. If you can’t afford to replace broken equipment, you can’t operate. If you can no longer afford mandatory insurance (such as worker’s compensation) due to high premiums, you cannot operate. If you start losing contracts without new ones to replace them, it is only a matter of time until you’re out of business. For these reasons, it’s essential to follow asbestos removal requirements.
Asbestos Removal Requirements in Australia: Quick Overview
Before covering them in more depth, here’s a brief overview of some asbestos removal requirements in Australia that you may be subject to:
- Appropriate licensing
- Staff training
- The correct personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Air monitoring protocols
- Notifying the appropriate authorities
- Worker safety and incident response plans
- Comprehensive insurance
Compliance with these requirements helps you avoid the social, legal, operational, and financial ramifications of asbestos exposure. It protects your employees, your company, and your own future.
Asbestos Removal Licence Requirements
Under Australian WHS laws, a license is required for asbestos removal work. There are two types:
- Class A Asbestos Removal License: Allows removal of any asbestos containing materials, including asbestos-contaminated dust.
- Class B Asbestos Removal License: Allows removal of more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos and its direct byproducts (for example, dust created during the removal process). Does not allow removal of friable asbestos.
What Asbestos Removal Work Does Not Require a License?
If fewer than 10 square metres are being removed, and the asbestos is non-friable, you are not legally required to have a license. However, as the Australian government still recommends hiring a licensed professional for this work, you are less likely to sign contracts without one. A license makes you look prepared and professional.
Depending on your location, there may be other limited circumstances where asbestos removal work does not require a license. For instance, in Victoria, you may perform unlicensed work as long as the time spent totals less than one hour every seven days. You should always check your state’s requirements before doing any asbestos-related demolition work.
Asbestos Removal License Requirements: What You Need to Apply
While the exact requirements may vary by state, to apply for an asbestos removal license you will generally need:
- Information about your business (size, the type of work you do, etc)
- The license class you are applying for
- Your professional contact details
- Any prior licensing history
- Any previous convictions for WHS or asbestos-specific violations
- The protective measures you employ to prevent asbestos-related harm
Asbestos Removal Training Requirements
Training is your most important defence against asbestos. You cannot hand your employees gloves and a mask and expect this to be enough. If they don’t understand the danger they are in, mistakes can be made and people can get hurt.
Anyone conducting asbestos removal work (licensed or unlicensed) must receive training that covers:
- The dangers of asbestos exposure
- How to identify a structure that is likely to contain asbestos
- Which materials asbestos is often present in
- Safe removal practices
- Decontamination procedures
Workers should complete these units of competency (which can be found on the Australian government’s training website):
- CPCCDE3014: Remove non-friable asbestos.
- CPCCDE3015: Remove friable asbestos.
- CPCCDE4008: Supervise asbestos removal (for supervisors).
Preparing your staff for the realities of asbestos removal drastically lowers their risk of accidental exposure.
What PPE is Required for Asbestos Removal?
PPE is crucial for safe asbestos removal. While you can minimise the number of particles that enter the air, you cannot completely eliminate them. PPE reduces exposure and limits the possibility of negative health outcomes.
Some PPE required for asbestos removal includes:
- A P2 face mask. Note that a standard dust mask is not sufficient, as it does not filter asbestos fibres out of the air.
- Disposable coveralls with fitted openings (e.g. around the wrists, legs, and neck).
- Shoes that cover the entire foot and do not have laces (as laces are significantly harder to clean), or a disposable shoe covering.
- Eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield.
- Disposable gloves that do not rip easily.
All PPE must be correctly fitted and put on in the right order. In a clean area, workers should don boots/shoe covers, coveralls, gloves, and then the face mask and eye protection. Any openings at the wrist or ankle should be taped shut, and the employee’s hood should be worn at all times. Tests should be performed to check the mask seal. Employees should be clean-shaven while performing asbestos removal work, as facial hair can interfere with the seal.
After work is complete, employees should strip off their asbestos gear in the clean area and thoroughly decontaminate themselves. This might include vacuuming up visible dust, and using wet wipes to clean equipment. Any reusable equipment must be double bagged before leaving the clean area, and disposable equipment must be thrown away using asbestos disposal protocols.
When Is Air Monitoring Required for Asbestos Removal?
Air monitoring is an important but easily overlooked step. It tells you how much asbestos is present in a given environment and thus, how high the exposure risk is. Air monitoring is required during any removal of friable asbestos, or any scenario where there is a risk of airborne fibres being inhaled by bystanders.
Who Can Perform It?
Air monitoring should always be conducted by an independent, licensed asbestos assessor (LAA). All results should be documented, shared with workers, and included in your asbestos removal control plan (ARCP).
Asbestos Removal Notification Requirements
Before starting any licensed asbestos removal work, you must inform the proper authorities. Under WHS you must give 5 days of notice, except during an emergency (one example of an emergency would be situations where a structure is already unstable and may collapse at any moment). In an emergency, you must call your state’s Worksafe equivalent to inform them, and then submit your electronic notice within 24 hours.
Notification Details
You’ll need to provide:
- Name and licence details of the removalist.
- Location of the work.
- Type and quantity of asbestos.
- Expected dates and duration.
Asbestos Removal Insurance
Insurance is your final line of defence, when all else fails and exposure occurs. It will help cover the costs associated with injury, liability, and legal issues. Most other demolition insurance policies do not cover asbestos removal, as it is particularly high-risk. You will need a specialised policy for this purpose.
When applying for asbestos removal insurance, remember to check the following carefully:
- Limits: The maximum amount that your insurer will pay.
- Exclusions: Circumstances and costs that the insurer will not cover.
- Premiums: The amount you pay each month.
Make sure that each suits your needs before signing the contract. You should also investigate the claims process, where possible, so you understand how it will work ahead of time.
The Asbestos Removal Control Plan
Finally, you will need an ARCP. This keeps everyone on track and prevents critical errors that lead to exposure. Your ARCP should outline:
- Removal procedures
- Emergency plans
- PPE and equipment
- Waste disposal steps
Keep your ARCP clear, concise, and easily accessible. Be prepared to answer any questions that your employees may have, and update the plan regularly to reflect changing circumstances and regulations.
FAQs
Do I Need a License for Smaller Removal Jobs?
Typically, you can remove less than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos without a license. But you must use the correct PPE and disposal procedures. Even under these circumstances, airborne asbestos fibres present a risk.
Is Air Monitoring Always Required When Working With Asbestos?
No. Air monitoring is mainly required for Class A work, or if there’s potential for public exposure.
Can I Reuse PPE After Asbestos Work?
Boots, vacuums, and certain other items may be reused. But they must be decontaminated thoroughly, and must never leave the area unless double bagged. All disposable PPE must be thrown away, as it is impossible to properly clean.
Who Do I Notify About Asbestos Removal?
Before working with asbestos, you should always notify your state’s WorkSafe (called SafeWork in NSW).
Is Insurance Mandatory?
Not typically. Asbestos removal insurance may be required in Victoria under certain circumstances, but this policy is generally voluntary. However, it is important for maintaining trust and protecting your financial interests.
Asbestos is Dangerous - Reduce Your Risk Now
Asbestos removal requirements are complex and stressful, but the alternative is far worse. By taking a little time now to prepare properly for this dangerous work, you protect your staff and firm from significant harm. Armed with the right knowledge, you can stay compliant, safe, and profitable while removing asbestos.
Insurance is another important step in protecting your company, and TIC is here to provide it. We understand the unique risk factors that demolition firms face, and how devastating the long-term financial impact can be. If you’d like to chat with an insurance expert about protecting your business, we’re here.