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

Specific requirements for removalof friable ACM331. All floors need to be protected with at least one layer of woven plastic.This is important for penetration to be prevented. The joints need to belapped 300mm and sealed with double-sided tape and duct tape.332. If the asbestos removal area is next to areas occupied by unprotected persons,priority needs to be given to:• performing the removal work during periods when these areas areunoccupied, or• greater isolation of the removal area (preferable).333. Consideration needs to be given to the use of hoarding to form a barrierbetween the asbestos removal area and the adjoining occupied areas.A plastic-lined barrier needs to be erected within this hoarding and a bufferarea needs to be reserved between the hoarding and occupied areas.334. Any platforms and fixed scaffolding required for the safe removal of theACM needs to be erected during the early stages of the work. Ideally thesestructures need to be erected on the outside of the enclosed area. However,where it is necessary to construct platforms or fixed scaffolding within theenclosed area, decontamination and visual inspection of these structures willbe necessary at the end of the removal work.335. During the masking up and later removal of the screening, all persons involvedneed to wear appropriate PPE. This needs to include coveralls and as aminimum, a half-face respirator with a P1 filter.336. All tools and equipment used for removal work, including asbestos vacuumcleaners, need to remain within the asbestos work area until the completion ofthe removal work. When this equipment is removed it must be decontaminatedas described in ‘Decontamination facilities and methods’ on page 33.337. All the plastic and tape used for the enclosure must be disposed of as asbestoswaste. Any temporary structures used within the enclosure must also bedisposed of as asbestos waste if they cannot be decontaminated and inspectedby a competent person to confirm they are free of any visible asbestos.Testing the effectiveness of the enclosure338. When the asbestos removalist is satisfied that the enclosure is complete,a competent independent person needs to carry out a visual inspection andsmoke test the enclosure prior to the commencement of the asbestos removalwork. While smoke is generated within the enclosure, a person outside theenclosure needs to check for leaks. The competent person needs to documentthe result of the smoke test and provide a copy to the licensed removalist.339. Negative pressure exhaust units should not be used while the smoke test isbeing conducted. Only smoke-generating devices incorporating non-oil-based,non-toxic smoke fluids can be used. Flares should not be used. Smoke (fire)detection devices in the immediate vicinity of the work area need to be isolatedfor the duration of the smoke test. Asbestos removal work should not proceedif any leaks or other deficiencies in the enclosure are found during the testing.Leaks or deficiencies must be rectified (an expandable foam sealant, tape orequivalent may be used) and another smoke test performed until no leaks ordeficiencies are identified.340. The effectiveness of the enclosure needs to be regularly monitored whileasbestos removal work is underway (eg visual examination, air-monitoringresults and negative pressure readings).WorkSafe Victoria Compliance code / Removing asbestos in workplaces 57