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

Paraoccupational air monitoring andclearance inspectionsWho is an independent person in relation to the clearance certificate?423. An independent person is someone who is independent from the licensedremovalist and from the person who commissioned the removal work.This person must not be in a position of conflict with their independenceof judgement and integrity in relation to their inspection activity. Anyonewho has a conflict of interest or a vested interest in declaring there is novisible asbestos residue remaining would not be considered independent.An independent person can not be a director, employee or person witha pecuniary interest.424. In some cases, a consultant may be engaged to manage a project.Where this consultant commissions the removalist, they can not takeon the role of the independent person to issue the clearance certificate.425. An independent person must have the requisite knowledge, skills andexperience to undertake visual inspections. This means they must have:• knowledge of the asbestos removal industry and the Regulations• the ability to identify what is or what may be ACM• the ability to thoroughly inspect the area for suspect material• experience in asbestos removal work, inspection of asbestos removal areasor audits of workplaces for ACM that is relevant to the visual inspection tobe performed (eg friable or non-friable ACM, the type of structure or plantfrom which ACM was removed)• the ability to interpret paraoccupational air monitoring reports for friableremoval work (where required).426. The person proposing to engage the independent person should considerasking for referees and examples of clearance certificates issued for otherremoval work. They should also ask the independent person what process theywill be undertaking to assist in determining whether this person’s knowledge,skills and experience are appropriate.427. There must be no contractual or financial relationship between the independentperson and the licensed removalist unless the removal is conducted in domesticpremises used solely for domestic purposes (and the person who commissionedthe removal work is the owner of the premises).70 Compliance code / Removing asbestos in workplaces WorkSafe Victoria