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

Specific requirements for removalof friable ACMBulk stripping and cleaning within an enclosure350. Sprayed asbestos insulations need to be wet thoroughly using a fine waterspray (refer to ‘Wet and dry methods of removing ACM’ on page 31). Aim toachieve maximum saturation with minimum run-off to minimise any subsequentclean-up and slip hazards.351. Wetting, scraping and vacuuming methods need to be used whereverreasonably practicable. Where the ACM is covered with cloth, metal claddingor wire reinforcing, it needs to be wet thoroughly during the removal process.352. Once a competent person has determined the removal area is clean, thelicensed removalist needs to, wherever reasonably practicable, spray cleansurfaces within the removal area with tinted PVA or a similar acrylic emulsionusing airless spraying equipment. This includes any layer of plastic formingthe inner surface of the enclosure to ensure any loose asbestos fibres onthe plastic are firmly adhered to prior to its dismantling.353. After the PVA has dried and sufficient time has elapsed for it to dissipate,paraoccupational air (clearance) monitoring, where required, needs to takeplace. The plastic enclosure must not be dismantled until a satisfactory visualinspection and monitoring has taken place.Dismantling an asbestos removal enclosure354. The licensed removalist may only dismantle a structure used to enclosean asbestos removal area once all of the following are done:• asbestos removal work has been completed• visual inspection by an independent person is satisfactory (refer to‘Clearance to re-occupy an asbestos removal area’ on page 68)• paraoccupational air monitoring, where required, is found to be less than0.01 fibres/ml.355. The plastic that formed the enclosure must be disposed of as asbestoswaste, along with any other contaminated material that assisted in forming theenclosure. In some cases, structures used in building the enclosure (other thanthe plastic that formed the enclosure) may be wrapped and sealed in plasticand not opened until in a similar controlled environment, such as anotherasbestos removal enclosure (eg collapsible rods used to form the enclosureframe).356. The area from which the enclosure was dismantled must be thoroughlycleaned and inspected. This needs to be followed by further paraoccupationalmonitoring demonstrating the levels are below 0.01 fibres/ml.357. Ropes, warning signs and protective plastic isolating public areas shouldnot be removed until:• the enclosure has been dismantled and removed as asbestos waste• satisfactory paraoccupational air-monitoring results have been achieved• the removal area and its surrounds have been visually inspected byan independent person and found to be satisfactory for re-occupation(refer to page 70).WorkSafe Victoria Compliance code / Removing asbestos in workplaces 59