Friable Asbestos Removal — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for the removal of friable asbestos-containing materials (ACM) by a licensed Class A asbestos removalist, in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Regulations and the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice.
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Friable asbestos removal is the highest-risk category of asbestos work in Australia and must be carried out exclusively by a holder of a Class A asbestos removal licence under the model WHS Regulations. Friable ACM — materials that can be crumbled by hand pressure when dry — includes pipe lagging, sprayed limpet asbestos, loose-fill roof cavity insulation (particularly prevalent in the ACT under the Mr Fluffy remediation legacy), and deteriorated ceiling tiles. A Class A licence authorises removal of both friable and non-friable ACM.
Under Regulation 462 of the model WHS Regulations, the PCBU conducting friable asbestos removal must notify the WHS regulator at least 5 business days before commencing work. The removal area must be fully enclosed using negative-pressure enclosures or glove bag systems to prevent fibre migration. Air monitoring by a licensed asbestos assessor is required during removal under Regulation 477, and a clearance inspection must be completed by an independent licensed asbestos assessor before re-occupation is permitted under Regulation 478.
Workers conducting friable removal must wear minimum Class P3 respiratory protection (powered air-purifying respirator or supplied air respirator) compliant with AS/NZS 1716, full disposable coveralls, and double gloves. All personal protective equipment must be decontaminated and disposed of as asbestos waste. The decontamination unit — comprising a dirty room, shower, and clean room — must meet the requirements set out in the Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.
When customising this template, document the specific friable ACM type confirmed by NATA-accredited laboratory analysis, the enclosure design and negative-pressure specifications, the air monitoring regime and action levels, and the name of the independent licensed asbestos assessor conducting clearance. Waste disposal must be to a facility licensed to accept asbestos waste under relevant state environmental legislation.
This template applies in all jurisdictions adopting the model WHS laws. Victorian users must also comply with the OHS Regulations 2017 Part 4.4 and obtain the equivalent removal licence from WorkSafe Victoria.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Work with or near asbestos
- •Demolition of load-bearing elements
Risk Assessment
1.Notification, licensing, and pre-removal planning
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlicensed or inadequately trained workers performing friable asbestos removal | Catastrophic | Friable asbestos removal may only be performed by a business holding a current Class A asbestos removal licence issued by the relevant state/territory WHS regulator. All individual workers must hold a current asbestos removal training certificate. Verify all licences before work commences and retain copies on site. Notify the relevant WHS regulator at least 5 business days before commencing removal. Notify Safe Work Australia via the national notification system where required. Post a copy of the Class A licence at the site entry. | Moderate | Removalist Licence Holder / Site Manager |
| Inadequate removal plan leading to uncontrolled fibre release | Catastrophic | Prepare a written asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) before commencing, covering: scope of work, identified ACM, removal method, containment strategy, decontamination procedures, air monitoring plan, and clearance inspection arrangements. The ARCP must be prepared by a competent person and reviewed by the licensed asbestos assessor. Provide a copy to the PCBU, the air monitoring hygienist, and the clearance assessor before work commences. | Moderate | Class A Removalist / Licensed Assessor |
2.Establishing asbestos work area and decontamination unit
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos fibres escaping containment to adjacent occupied areas | Catastrophic | Establish a negative pressure enclosure using 200 micron polyethylene sheeting on all surfaces (walls, floor, ceiling) with minimum two layers. Run negative pressure units (NPUs) with HEPA filtration to maintain minimum -5 Pa differential pressure relative to adjacent areas — monitor and record pressure continuously. Seal all penetrations, ducts, and gaps with tape before commencing. Conduct a smoke test to verify enclosure integrity before starting removal. Do not commence removal until negative pressure is confirmed and recorded. | Moderate | Class A Removalist Supervisor |
| Workers contaminating clean areas through inadequate decontamination | High | Install a three-stage decontamination unit (dirty change room — shower — clean change room) at the sole entry/exit point of the asbestos work area. All workers to follow the decontamination procedure strictly: remove outer PPE in dirty room, HEPA vacuum coverall before removal, shower, put on clean clothing in clean room. No personal items to be taken into the asbestos work area. Decontamination procedure to be posted visually inside the dirty change room. | Low | All Removal Workers |
3.Wetting and removal of friable ACM
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre release during removal causing worker and bystander exposure | Catastrophic | Thoroughly wet all friable ACM immediately before and during removal using a low-pressure fine mist spray with an amended water solution (wetting agent). Keep ACM wet throughout the removal process — do not allow it to dry. Remove ACM by hand where possible — avoid cutting or breaking. Place all removed ACM directly into double-bagged asbestos waste bags (200-micron inner, 200-micron outer). Do not overfill bags — seal each bag when two-thirds full. Conduct real-time air fibre monitoring throughout removal. | Moderate | Removal Workers / Supervisor |
4.Decontamination and waste packaging
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos waste bag rupture during handling or transport | High | Double-bag all asbestos waste in labelled 200-micron polythene bags — inner bag sealed, placed in outer bag, outer bag sealed and labelled per WHS regulations. Do not drag bags across rough surfaces. Place filled bags in a rigid waste container or additional 200-micron bag for transport within the site. HEPA vacuum all bags before removing from the work area. Store waste in a dedicated, labelled, locked waste container until collected by a licensed waste transporter. | Low | Removal Workers / Supervisor |
5.Clearance inspection and air monitoring
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area reoccupied before clearance inspection confirms safety | Catastrophic | After removal and cleaning is complete, a licensed asbestos assessor (independent of the removal contractor) must conduct a clearance inspection and issue a clearance certificate before the enclosure is dismantled and the area reoccupied. The clearance inspection must include a visual inspection and air monitoring (phase contrast microscopy — PCM) meeting the clearance criteria in the relevant WHS regulations. The area must remain isolated until the written clearance certificate is received. Post the clearance certificate at the site entry upon completion. | Low | Licensed Asbestos Assessor / Site Manager |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.