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

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General requirements for all asbestos removalFigure 6: ’Buddy’ cleaning.185 In some cases (particularly dusty jobs), double coveralls need to be used withthe outer coverall being removed a predetermined distance from the finaldecontamination area.186. Establish a decontamination area. This area needs to be selected so that it:• is isolated from the asbestos removal work area• includes sufficient space for equipment for decontamination• has access routes that allow persons to leave the asbestos removal workarea and do not require them to re-enter it after personal decontamination.187. Workers need to decontaminate every time they leave the asbestos removalwork area. Remove all visible asbestos dust/residue from protective clothingand footwear using an asbestos vacuum cleaner and/or wet wiping witha damp rag (see Appendix P). Use damp rags with a gentle patting action(rubbing can disturb fibres) or spray overalls with a fine mist spray to suppressthe dust. Where there are two employees, they can help clean each other.188. Carefully peel off disposable coveralls (while still wearing the respirator).They need to be peeled off inside out and then placed in an asbestos-wastecontainer. Footwear needs to be wet-wiped.189. As covered on page 25, disposable coveralls are preferred. If non-disposablecoveralls are used, they need to be completely wetted before being doublebagged, labelled and sent to an appropriate laundering facility.190. Remove and place disposable respirators into an asbestos-waste container.If non-disposable respirators are used, they need to be gently patted with adamp rag while still being worn. The rag then needs to be placed into anasbestos-waste container and the respirator removed and thoroughly cleaned.The respirator must only be removed after coveralls are removed and bagged.After removing the respirator, workers need to wash their face and hands,paying particular attention to their fingernails.191. If site washing facilities are used, restrict access by other people duringasbestos removal work. Clean washing facilities daily and at the end of the jobwith wet rags. Inspect the facilities once the job is finished to ensure the areais clean.192. The above method of personal decontamination might be suitable afterthe removal of the following non-friable ACM:• an asbestos (Zelemite) electrical switchboard• small amounts of asbestos cement sheeting (covering an average house)or vinyl floor covering• minor amounts of asbestos debris• asbestos cement conduits and inground surface pits.193. However, where these forms of ACM are friable, more extensivedecontamination procedures are required. The measures adopted need to bebased on a risk assessment where the risks of each individual asbestos removaljob are assessed to determine the appropriate decontamination procedure.36 Compliance code / Removing asbestos in workplaces WorkSafe Victoria
General requirements for all asbestos removalAsbestos waste containment and disposal194. The person performing the removal work must have a system of work forcontaining and disposing of the asbestos waste, no matter how big or smallthe removal work is.Waste disposal program195. A waste disposal program needs to be developed, taking account of:• the containment of waste so as to eliminate the release of airborneasbestos fibres• the location and security of waste storage on site• the transport of waste within the site and off site• the location of the waste disposal site• approvals needed from the relevant local disposal authority• any local disposal authority requirements that may apply to the amountand dimensions of asbestos waste (eg EPA Victoria-licensed wastedisposal site requirements).General requirements196. Loose asbestos waste must not be allowed to accumulate within the asbestoswork area. It must be contained so as to eliminate the release of airborneasbestos fibres. This may be achieved by the use of double bags or polythenesheeting, a polythene-lined drum or bin or a double-lined skip.197. Only unused bags and polythene sheeting can be used. Bags marked forasbestos waste should not be used for any other purpose.198. Controlled wetting of the asbestos waste must be carried out to reduceasbestos-dust emissions during bag/polythene sealing or any subsequentrupture of the bag or wrapped bundles.199. The external surface of each waste container (ie bag or wrapped bundle)must be decontaminated/cleaned to remove any dust before the containeris removed from the asbestos removal area.200. The routes to be used for removing waste from the asbestos removal areaneed to be designated before the commencement of each removal, preferablyas part of the asbestos removal control plan (see page 43). The methods usedto transport waste through a building need to be determined by a competentperson following discussions with the asbestos removalist. In occupiedbuildings, all movement of waste containers through a building need to takeplace outside normal working hours.201. Once the waste has been removed from the asbestos removal area, it musteither be:• placed in a solid waste drum, bin or skip for secure storage and eventualdisposal, or• immediately removed from the site by an EPA Victoria-approved/licensedcarrier for disposal.202. Waste containers must not be stored at the asbestos removal site if they arenot contained to eliminate the release of airborne asbestos fibres (eg withinlocked solid containers such as drums, bins, skips or in containers within lockedareas). Containers must also be labelled to indicate the presence of asbestos.WorkSafe Victoria Compliance code / Removing asbestos in workplaces 37
Page 3 and 4: Appendix A - The compliance framewo
Page 6 and 7: IntroductionConsultation7. By law,
Page 8 and 9: General requirements of the Occupat
Page 11 and 12: Regulatory prohibitionsUse of compr
Page 13 and 14: Legislation that applies to asbesto
Page 24 and 25: General requirements for all asbest
Page 46 and 47: Additional requirements for license
Page 58 and 59: Specific requirements for removalof
Page 68 and 69: Paraoccupational air monitoring and
Page 74 and 75: AppendicesAppendix A - The complian
Page 76 and 77: AppendicesAsbestos removal workThe
Page 78 and 79: AppendicesAppendix C - Examples of
Page 80 and 81: AppendicesPPacking materials for ga
Page 82 and 83: AppendicesAppendix E - Guide to the
Page 84 and 85: AppendicesSelection of appropriate
Page 86 and 87: AppendicesAppendix F - Pro forma co
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Appendices6. Decontamination proced
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AppendicesCONTROL PLAN FOR ASBESTOS
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Appendices5. Decontamination proced
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Appendix G - Example of an asbestos
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AppendicesAppendix G - Example of a
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AppendicesThe following are example
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AppendicesAppendix I - Removal of a
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AppendicesAppendix J - Removal of n
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Appendices22. Once all removed asbe
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Appendices15. Place used rags into
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Appendices13. Place the waste into
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Appendices13. Ensure waste bags are
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Appendices16. Perform a visual clea
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Appendices14. Place the waste into
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AppendicesAppendix Q - Information
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AppendicesAppendix S - Documents as
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