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Health and Compliance
Guideline for Removal and Disposal of Asbestos Containing Material
The information contained within is to be used as a guide only
The information below has been obtained using a range of resources detailed at the
end of this document, the aim of this guide is to provide general information in
accordance with current scientific literature, legislation and codes of practice with
respect to asbestos removal and disposal.
Safe Asbestos Removal
Left undisturbed in buildings, asbestos containing materials present in building products
do not present a threat to health. There is no need to remove asbestos containing
materials because of health concerns.
Degraded, damaged or mishandled asbestos fibres can be inhaled and have the
potential to cause respiratory diseases. Asbestos containing building products can be
removed safely and without risk to workers or the public, provided safe work procedures
are employed.
Hazards
A significant hazard will be created if power tools are used for cutting, drilling, sanding,
grinding or sawing asbestos containing materials. Power tools must NOT be used on
asbestos containing materials. Safe work procedures must be implemented and
followed at all stages of removal and disposal of asbestos containing materials.
Although the risk to humans of exposure to installed and undisturbed asbestos
containing materials is negligible, surface weathering of asbestos containing materials
can lead to the release of asbestos fibres during removal.
This is the reason for
implementing safe work procedures.
Coating of weathered asbestos containing materials roofing with paint and coatings is
dealt with in the pamphlet “How Safe is Asbestos Containing Material” available from
the City of Nedlands.
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Identifying Asbestos
Fibrous cement products in use before 1987 may contain asbestos, whereas similar
building products manufactured and sold today do not contain asbestos fibres.
Careful visual inspection and microscopic examination by experienced people are the
only means of confirming whether fibrous materials contain asbestos. Should you wish
to confirm if a material at your residence contains asbestos, look in the yellow pages
under ‘analysts’ for a NATA accredited laboratory that can confirm the presence of
asbestos in a product.
Identifying, assessing and controlling hazards during removal and disposal of asbestos
containing materials in the workplace should be jointly achieved through consultation
and co-operation between employers and employees and, where elected, health and
safety representatives.
Legislation
The Health, safety and welfare of workers handling asbestos containing materials is
covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and Occupational Safety and
Health Regulations 1996. Regulation 5.45 specifically refers to the safe removal of
asbestos containing materials.
The Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992 control the handling and use of materials
containing asbestos, to protect the public from uncontrolled fibre release into the
environment, specifically Regulation 7 (3) ‘a person who stores, breaks damages, cuts,
maintains, repairs, removes, moves or disposes of, or uses any material containing
asbestos without taking reasonable measures to prevent asbestos fibres entering the
atmosphere commits an offence’. The Regulations also make it an offence to sell or
supply second-hand asbestos cement sheeting, other than to dispose of the material.
Safe Handling and Removal
Material less than 10m2 of bonded (non-friable) asbestos may be removed without a
licence however; all safety measures must be employed for its removal in accordance
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with Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992. Bonded (non-friable) asbestos in excess of
10m2 or any friable asbestos must be removed by a WorkSafe licensed and trained
individual or business. During removal fibres may release when asbestos containing
material is disturbed in a way that generates airborne dust. To minimise generating and
inhaling asbestos fibres when asbestos containing material
is being repaired or
removed, precautions should include:
Wearing suitable personal protective equipment –
- disposable overalls
- disposable class P1, P2 or P3 air respirators
- safety goggles; and
- disposable gloves

Carefully wetting asbestos containing material surfaces with water or spraying
with a PVA solution before handling

Never using any power tool on asbestos containing material

Removing asbestos containing material with minimal breakage, and lowering to
the ground.

Cleaning or sealing roof gutters prior to their removal

Stacking asbestos containing sheeting between layers of thick plastic, without
sliding, to avoid scuffing and release of fibres

Not leaving asbestos containing materials about the site where they may be
further broken or crushed by machinery or site traffic

Wrapping and sealing asbestos containing material in thick plastic labelling or
marking the bundles with the words “CAUTION ASBESTOS” at least 40mm high.

Cleaning, using an approved vacuum cleaner if necessary, any asbestos
containing material residue remaining in the roof space or within the removal
area.

Keeping wet and wrapping in sealed thick plastic all waste containing asbestos
including contaminated protective clothing and removing from the site as soon as
practicable.
Caution: Walking on an asbestos roof can be highly dangerous, particularly if the roof
has undergone significant weathering and can be very slippery when wet. Many people
have been injured falling through weathered asbestos cement roofs while attempting to
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treat or repair the roof surface. Another danger is that coatings applied to asbestos
containing roofs can hide roofing nails which normally indicate where it is safe to walk.
Further more detailed information regarding asbestos removal for non-licensed
individuals, removing less than 10m2, can be obtained from the Department of Health
publication ‘Asbestos Cement Products in the Home’ and Safe Work Australia’s Code of
Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002(2005)] . Should
you wish to locate a licensed asbestos removalist look under the yellow pages under
this title.
Disposal and Landfill Sites
Within the metropolitan area, asbestos waste must be disposed of in accordance with
the requirements of the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1992. Listed below are landfill
sites that accept asbestos waste, however, the landfill sites should be contacted to
determine conditions for disposal. Further information can also be obtained from the
Department of Environmental Protection (phone: 9222-7000).
JFR Resource Recovery Facility
(Brockway Transfer Station)
Cnr Brockway Road and
Lemnos St, Shenton Park
9384 2544
City of Armadale
Hopkinson Road, Armadale
9399 3935
City of Cockburn
Rockingham Road, Henderson
9418 0444
Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council
Toodyay Road, Redhill
9574 6235
City of Stirling
Balcatta Road, Balcatta
9344-1401
Mindarie Regional Council
Tamala Park, Marmion Drive,
Mindarie
9305-5246
It is advisable to check with landfill sites prior to the removal of asbestos to ascertain
the cost of disposal and the desired format for disposal (i.e on pallets) and also to
ensure that the landfill still accepts asbestos. For an updated list of facilities accepting
asbestos materials refer to the Department of Environmental and Conservation
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Occupational Asbestos Issues
Any issues with the management of asbestos in an occupational environment (e.g. work
place) should be referred to the Department of Commerce (WorkSafe WA) on (08) 9327
8777 or the WorkSafe WA website.
Useful Resources

Enhealth publication ‘Management of Asbestos in the Non-occupational
Environment’

Department of Health publication ‘Asbestos Cement Products in the Home’ and
‘Managing Contamination from Pressure Cleaning of Asbestos Cement Roofs’

Safe Work Australia’s Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos and
Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in the Workplace

Department of Housing Sealing, Coating and Cleaning of Asbestos Cement
Products and Asbestos Booklet
Useful Websites

Enviromental Health Directorate (EHD) Contaminated Sites

Department of Health

Australian Asbestos Network (External link)

WorkSafe WA

National Health and Medical Research Council

ACT Asbestos Awareness

State Law Publisher

Department of Environmental and Conservation
Last updated July 2011