| Subscribe for news
Aug
15th

How to safely remove asbestos - new codes of practice in WA

The new Codes of practice have now been legislated under the Work Health and Safety Laws (WHS) replacing the original NOHSC documents. The new documents are:

1. Code of practice - How to safely remove asbestos

This code of practice provides practical guidance to PCBUs on how to manage health and safety risks associated with removing asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACM) from workplaces.

A PCBU may be an asbestos removalist who may carry out asbestos removal work that does not require a licence; Class A asbestos removal work; or Class B asbestos removal work. This could include both asbestos removal companies and those persons who may carry out small asbestos removal jobs and may not have an asbestos licence, for example, tradespersons.

It is recommended that other duty holders — for example, a PCBU who commissions asbestos removal work at a workplace (PCBU who commissions removal work) — should read this Code to ensure they are aware of mandatory requirements.

2. Code of practice - How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace

This Code provides specific guidance on identifying asbestos or ACM in the workplace, determining whether removal is the best control option and implementing other control measures if removing asbestos is not the most appropriate action to take.

This code of practice should also be read in conjunction with the WHS transitional arrangements.

There is a 12-month transition period for the following matters relating to licensed asbestos removal:

  • Completion of a specified Vet course for all workers conducting licensed asbestos removal works
  • Use of Licensed Asbestos Assessors for clearances and air monitoring for Class A removal work

For all other changes to the WHS laws concerning asbestos removals, WorkSafe will be taking an educational approach in the first instance, however, removalists will need to become compliant as soon as practicable as there is no grace/transition period.

You can find more information on asbestos management and removal here, or feel free to get in touch and ask us a question.


Recent Posts

Navigating the GRESB 2024 Updates: Key Changes and Implications

26th Nov

GRESB’s 2024 Real Estate Assessment introduced significant changes, refining how ESG performance is measured and reported. These updates a...

Trichloramine and Indoor Air Quality in Swimming Pools

05th Nov

For swimmers and pool workers alike, the characteristic "chlorine smell" at indoor swimming pools is part of the experience. Howev...

Indoor Air Quality Takes Centre Stage: A New Government Report on Airborne Virus Transmission

30th Sep

The importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has gained significant attention following the release of a groundbreaking report from Australiaâ...

View All
QED FEATURED ARTICLES

How IEQ Impacts Employee Productivity

We believe tenants should engage with landlords on the indoor environment quality with the same level of importance at which they consider the energy consumption of a building – it will improve their bottom line faster!

White Papers

October 27th 2023

Clearing the Air: A case study on managing the risk of lead dust

A case study on how we saved a customer thousands of do...

December 13th 2021

The Impact of Indoor Environment Quality on Cognitive Function

As we head into 2022, a year marked by the great migrat...

September 07th 2021

Using Ventilation to Reduce the Covid-19 Infections within Hospitals

Using Ventilation to Reduce the Covid-19 Infections wit...

View More

Latest News

November 26th 2024

Navigating the GRESB 2024 Updates: Key Changes and Implications

GRESB’s 2024 Real Estate Assessment introduced signif...

November 05th 2024

Trichloramine and Indoor Air Quality in Swimming Pools

For swimmers and pool workers alike, the characteristic...

September 30th 2024

Indoor Air Quality Takes Centre Stage: A New Government Report on Airborne Virus Transmission

The importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has gained s...

View More

Need more information? We’re here to help you...

Get in touch