Australia has one of the highest rates for asbestos-related disease in the world, and as a tradie you're at risk of exposure. This page gives builders and tradespersons practical information about their responsibilities and legal duties when dealing with asbestos.
The Asbestos safety for trades and construction workers: Pamphlet outline ways to safely work with asbestos.
Learn more about how to manage and control asbestos in the workplace.
How to protect yourself
You should always engage a licensed asbestos professional if there is a chance that asbestos may be present. If you are working with asbestos, you need to do the following:
- Have everything you need before you commence the job.
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Follow the asbestos removal process as outlined in the How to safely remove asbestos: Code of practice. Non-powered tools should be used as they make larger (less hazardous) dust particles than power tools. High speed abrasive power or pneumatic tools must not be used.
- Wrap and dispose of asbestos according to guidelines in the code of practice.
- Decontaminate the area and yourself.
- Dispose of asbestos at a waste disposal facility which is licensed to accept asbestos waste. Find your nearest disposal site that is licensed to handle asbestos.
Training requirements
Asbestos-related work involves activities where there's a likelihood of asbestos exposure, such as maintenance, cleaning, or repairs that disturb asbestos-containing materials. This can include routine tasks in environments where asbestos is present but isn't being actively removed.
Asbestos removal however, is a specific and controlled process where asbestos-containing materials are systematically identified, safely dismantled, and disposed of. This work is typically carried out by licensed professionals who follow strict regulations to ensure safe handling and prevent exposure.
Each type of work has different regulations and safety protocols to minimise health risks. Workers carrying out asbestos-related work and/or asbestos removal must:
- be trained in asbestos identification, safe handling and control measures
- use equipment designed to capture or suppress airborne asbestos
- follow safe removal, decontamination and disposal methods.
WHS laws also require a safe work method statement (SWMS) to be completed for construction work that disturbs or is likely to disturb asbestos, because this is considered high-risk construction work.
Prohibited equipment
The use of certain tools and equipment on asbestos or asbestos-containing material is prohibited. The following should never be used:
- high-pressure water spray, jets, power or similar tools and instruments
- compressed air.
See the video on dangers of pressure cleaning asbestos roofs.
Controlled use allowed
High-speed power tools such as angle grinders, sanders, saws, and drills or any other tools or equipment, such as brooms, that can cause the release of asbestos fibres into the air can only be used if:
- the tool or equipment is enclosed during its use
- the tool/equipment is designed to capture or suppress airborne asbestos and is used in accordance with its design
- the tool/equipment is used in a way that is designed to capture or suppress airborne asbestos safely. For example, a negatively pressured enclosure may satisfy the requirement for the equipment to be enclosed during use. However, as the tools or equipment would be removing asbestos, its likely a licensed removalist would be required to undertake the work.
Decontamination
All tools and equipment used during the asbestos removal process must be decontaminated before being removed from the asbestos removal area. Tools and equipment that can't be decontaminated should be double bagged and sealed in asbestos waste bags before removal.
The bags containing the tools or equipment must remain sealed until decontamination.
More information can be found in the How to safely remove asbestos: Code of practice.