Removing asbestos in workplaces - Compliance ... - WorkSafe Victoria

General requirements for all asbestos removal104. The level of respiratory protection required (eg P1, P2, P3 and supplied airrespirators) needs to be determined by a competent person in accordancewith the asbestos removal task to be undertaken. Appendix E provides moreinformation on the selection of suitable respiratory protection for particularremoval tasks. RPE suppliers should also be contacted for more informationon the selection of suitable RPE.105. A competent person may change the level of respiratory protection at any stageduring the removal process following a thorough assessment of the fibre levelsexperienced inside the asbestos work area. Typically, this may occur during thefinal clean-up after the removal of friable ACM (eg when the use of air-linesis no longer considered necessary).Figure 1: Fit check.Full or half-face respirator fit check:• close off inlet to filter• inhale gently• hold for 10 seconds• face piece needs to remainslightly collapsed.Use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment106. A fit check (different to a fit test), in accordance with AS/NZS 1715:1994Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices and themanufacturer’s instructions, needs to be performed immediately beforecommencing work with the respirator each time it is to be used.107 The respirator must be worn in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructionsand the coverall hood must go over the respirator straps. It must be wornat all times in the removal area and until the appropriate stage of personaldecontamination (refer to ‘Decontamination facilities and methods’ on page 33and ‘The decontamination unit’ on page 49). At the end of a shift or at a break,as part of the decontamination process, ensure the respirator is taken off last.Disposable respirators are not a preferred form of respiratory protection forasbestos removal work. If used, they must be disposed of as asbestos wasteafter a single use. Non-disposable respirators must be cleaned and stored in asafe place away from contamination.108. The respirator should never be left lying around where it can collect dustand should never be dangled around a person’s neck.109. A system of regular cleaning, inspection and maintenance must be providedfor non-disposable respirators. Records of all respirator uses and maintenanceneed to be established and kept up-to-date (eg a log book). Respirators needto be maintained in a clean and good working condition by the personresponsible for their safe working condition. All parts, including filters, valvesand seals, need to be inspected before and after each use. Respirator defectsneed to be reported immediately to the supervisor of the removal job for repairor replacement.110. The length of time a particulate filter for asbestos removal work is useddepends on resistance to breathing and damage to the filter. The filter needsto be replaced when damaged or when resistance increases in accordancewith the manufacturer’s instructions. A damaged filter must be replacedbefore resistance begins to increase. It also needs to be replaced beforeany manufacturer-recommended period if the filter is damaged or resistanceincreases.111. Certain brands of filters may not be able to be re-used after being exposed tocertain conditions such as a full decontamination shower. Specific advice needsto be sought from the supplier regarding the effectiveness of a filter after it hasbeen exposed to a decontamination shower to assist in determining whether itmay continue to be used or needs to be disposed of.WorkSafe Victoria Compliance code / Removing asbestos in workplaces 27