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This information sheet provides advice to persons in control of a workplace1 and those involved in inspecting, removing, managing or disposing of asbestos contaminated soils at workplaces.
This information sheet deals with soils at a workplace, which are contaminated with asbestos containing material (ACM). It does not cover naturally occurring asbestos at a workplace.
A workplace includes residential premises when paid work is occurring at that site.
Asbestos can be found in soil usually as a result of:
Asbestos in soils only poses a risk to the health of workers if the fibres become airborne and are then inhaled. The likelihood of exposure depends on the:
Non-friable asbestos is asbestos that is bound tightly in a matrix (e.g. asbestos cement fencing, eaves). Non-friable asbestos may become friable after severe degradation, such as during a fire or as a result of a chemical ‘attack’.
Friable asbestos refers to asbestos that can be broken up using hand pressure. Examples include asbestos pipe lagging, asbestos fibres spread by high pressure cleaning of asbestos cement, or fire damaged asbestos cement sheeting that has spalled. Friable asbestos presents a greater health risk than
non-friable due to the increased chance of fibre release.
Asbestos contaminated soils must be inspected by a competent person such as a consultant who has the relevant training, knowledge and experience to undertake the task. The detail of inspection required depends on a number of factors including:
Residential sites with contamination can be reported to the Local Government Authorised Officer (Environmental Health Officer) who has powers to regulate asbestos contamination under the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992.
For extensive or legacy asbestos contamination, the site should be reported under section 11 of the Contaminated Sites Act 2003. For more information on reporting and assessment of contaminated sites, refer to Guidelines for the Assessment, Remediation and Management of Asbestos-Contaminated Sites in Western Australia.
Recent or minor, small scale soil contamination at workplaces can be removed using safe systems of work under the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022.
Removal of non-friable asbestos in soil contamination of 10 square metres or more (total asbestos surface area) may be conducted by a Class A or Class B asbestos licence holder. However, if the asbestos contamination is friable or mixed friable/non-friable, an Class A asbestos licence holder must be engaged. An independent consultant may also be required to assess and manage the site to address the client’s compliance with environmental legislation.
Table 1 Licensing requirements
Type of material present | Quantity | Licence requirements |
---|---|---|
Non-friable only | Total amount of asbestos containing material in soil is less than 10 m2 (total surface area) |
Removal licence not required Safe systems of work required, including training and supervision |
Non-friable only | Total amount of asbestos containing material in soil is equal to or greater than 10 m2 (total surface area) |
Class A or Class B asbestos licence holder licence holder Safe systems of work required, including training and supervision Licence holders must comply with conditions of the licence |
Friable only or mixed friable and non-friable | Visible contamination of friable asbestos |
Class A asbestos licence holder Safe systems of work required, including training and supervision Licence holders must comply with conditions of the licence |
Minor contamination 2 | As determined by risk assessment (refer to footnote 2) |
As determined by risk assessment (refer to footnote 2) |
It is important to note that soil remediation work is a specialised activity and may require additional competency, skills and resources. As such, the selection of a Class A or Class B licence holder licence holder should consider the resources, skills and experience required for soil remediation work. Controls and safe systems of work in accordance with WHS legislation must be used during the removal of asbestos in soils.
Controls for removal work that is not small-scale or minor should include (but not be limited to):
Following asbestos removal, the adequacy of the work will need to be assessed and a clearance conducted. The clearance must be conducted by an independent competent person (ICP) who has knowledge training and experience in asbestos removal as well as holding a certification for asbestos assessor work or a relevant tertiary qualification. For soils contaminated with friable asbestos, the ICP must be a licenced asbestos assessor (LAA). Independent means the IPC or LAA must not be involved in the removal of asbestos for that specific job or be involved with the asbestos licence holder removing the asbestos for that specific job.
The soil validation will depend on the remediation approach adopted and the form of asbestos. Sampling should be conducted to check that the decontamination is complete. Air monitoring based on risk should be conducted to ensure exposure controls are effective. For more information on soil validations refer to the Department of Health document Guidelines for the Assessment, Remediation and Management of Asbestos-Contaminated Sites in Western Australia.
Asbestos is listed in Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004 (the Regulations) as a controlled waste. Prior to transport, all asbestos contaminated soils must be wet down and covered or contained to minimise the risk of dust and fibres becoming airborne during transport. Moderate watering should be used such that the soil does not wash away or cause stability issues during transport.
Contaminated asbestos soils must be contained and labellled in accordance with schedule 9 clause 8 of the WHS (General) Regulations 2022 before the waste is removed and prior to transport to a licenced waste facility. Appropriate systems of work must be used to decontaminate the vehicles used after transport of the asbestos contaminated soils.
Where appropriate, ACM contamination may be contained on site in compliance with the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 and associated regulations and guidelines administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. In such situations, the site would be classified under section 13 of the Act and a memorial placed on the title.
In certain circumstances the site may be registered on a public access database and subject to mandatory disclosure requirements at sale or lease. A site management plan (SMP) may be required to protect future site workers and users. A SMP should include:
1 Workplace means a place, whether or not in an aircraft, ship, vehicle, building, or other structure, where employees or self-employed persons work or are likely to be in the course of their work
2 Safe Work Australia – Minor contamination of asbestos-containing dust or debris and WA Department of Health – Asbestos contaminated sites
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