STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Drilling holes in non friable
asbestos containing material
(ACM).
Applicable: All QUT Staff and Contractors
Alternate contractor procedures are acceptable only
if equivalent in intent and standards.
Doc ID
SOP 805_018
Vers #
1:10
SOP Prep By:
J Hobbins , Stuart Rowley (NAA)
;Nathan Richardson, Harvey
Baldwyn
Authorised By:
Position:
Harvey Baldwyn
FM Maintenance Manager
Page
1 of 3
Date of Issue:
9/11/2010
Task description & scope:
This procedure applies where holes need to be drilling in asbestos cement, decorative coatings, bitumen
products containing asbestos, floor tiles and other bonded asbestos containing materials. This covers vertical
surfaces and horizontal surfaces.
This SOP is not suitable for drilling holes in friable Low density Board.
PPE : Minimum requirements - * Indicates standard
for all ACM minor work
 * Half face respirator fitted with a P2 air filter approved to AS
1715/1716
 * 100% synthetic disposable type coveralls meeting
specification that prevents fibre of diameter down to 0.5 microns
and a maximum of 15 peneetrations of asbestos fibres eg: Tyvek



Washable safety boots( laced boots
can be difficult to decontaminate)
Gloves to afford some protectiion
against cuts, abrasion and skin
contact
* Safety Glasses
Training and Certification
Only carry out this work if you have General Asbestos Awareness training and/or specific asbestos work
procedure training relative to this task.
Health
Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres may cause dose related asbestos diseases such as lung cancer;
mesothelioma; or pleural plaques if inhaled in sufficent quantities.
As a first priority, planning for the maintenance of ACM must include consideration of the removal of hte ACM
as the most preferred control option. Where removed , asbestos products must be replaced with non –
asbestos product.
Safety
Removal of asbestos products must be done in accordance with the QUT AMMP; Safe Work Australia (SWA)
Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos [NOHSC:2002(2005)].
Further advice may be sought from your supervisor, FM Maintenance Manager or FM Health and Safety on
specific safety concerns
Environment
Prevent spread of asbestos fibres ( dust) from contaminating surrounding work areas. Ensure all ACM waste
is disposed of correctly as per AMMP.
Quality:
The responsible supervisor MUST ensure that all personnel are trained and competent in these procedures.
Work site area must be left in a clean and safe condition.
 Hand drill or Battery Drill – power set at
Equipment required in addition to normal tools or
lowest speed;may also be fitted with local
materials
exhaust ventilation (LEV) dust hood
 200 micron polythene sheeting & duct tape;
 Sealant – Eg alkali resistant and vapour
 warning tape and notices;
permeable ( low in hazardous ingredients)
 a thick paste eg: Mastic; wallpaper paste or shaving
 Plastic or metal sleeve / rubber grommet
cream;
 Bucket of water, rags and wet wipes
 Sturdy foam or thin plastic cup or similar for work on
 Suitable asbestos waste container (egoverhead surfaces only.
labelled 200 micron asbestos waste bag
 Type H Vacuum cleaner;
 Appropriate task lighting
Referenced Documents
QUT Asbestos Materials Management Plan PLN805_010; Qld WH & S Regulations; Code of Practice for the Safe
Removal of Asbestos [ NOHSC:2002(2005)]; Code Of Practice for management and control of asbestos in workplaces
Facilities Management
Document1 V1:10
Page 1 of 3
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
[NOHSC:2018 (2005)]
Drilling holes in non friable asbestos containing material
Step
Who
1.Prepare work area
2. Drilling material
QUT Staff or
contractor
Action

If this work is to be done at height >2m, the
appropriate precautions MUST be taken.

Ensure all necessary electrical isolations have been
made

Carry out the work with minimum people present

Restrict access to work area, E.g. close door and/or
use warning tape or notices

If drilling a roof from outside, barricade the area
below

If access is available to the rear of the asbestos
cement sheet, barricade as above.

If there is no access to the rear of AC sheet, inform
your supervisor so this can be noted

Use Plastic sheeting, secured with duct tape, to
cover any surface within the segregated area which
could become contaminated with dust.

Ensure there is adequate lighting

Cover the point to be drilled and rear of the exit point
if accessible, with duct tape to prevent the edges
crumbling

If cable or pipe work is to be passed through, make
sure the hole is slightly bigger to prevent abrasion

Alternatively cover the entry and exit points (if
accessible) with a generous amount of mastic/paste
or thickened substance

Drill through the mastic/ paste

Use damp rags to clean off the mastic/paste and
debris from material and drill bit

Dispose of rags as asbestos waste as this will
contain dust and fibres

Seal cut edges with sealant

If a cable is to be passed thorough, insert a sleeve or
a suitable sized rubber grommet to seal edges of
hole.
QUT Staff/ Contractor
If drilling overhead surfaces
3. Drilling overhead surfaces
Facilities Management
QUT Staff/ Contractor
Document1 V1:10

Drill hole through mastic or cup filled with foam

Place drill bit through the hole in the cup so as to
Page 2 of 3
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Drilling holes in non friable asbestos containing material
Step
Who
Action
enclose the drill bit.
4. Clean up
QUT Staff/ Contractor
5. Personal De-contamination
6. Site Clearance
Facilities Management
QUT Staff/ Contractor
QUT Staff/ Contractor
Document1 V1:10

Ensure the drill bit extends beyond the lip of the cup

Align the drill bit with marked point on the material.

Ensure the cup is held firmly against the surface to
be drilled

Drill material

Remove drill bit from cup, ensuring the cup remains
in place against the surface

Remove cup

Use damp rags to clean the equipment

If required use damp rags or Type H vacuum
cleaner to clean the segregated area to remove
visible dust and contamination in the work area

Carefully roll/fold plastic sheeting within the work
area, preventing spills of dust or debris collected

Place debris, used work rags and, plastic sheeting
and other waste into suitable asbestos waste
container

Where available, use a H-Type vacuum cleaner to
clean your overalls or clothes.

Otherwise use a damp-rag (use patting action) as
rubbing can generate fibres

Where two or more workers are involved they can
clean each other (buddy cleaning)

Remove disposable overalls by turning inside out &
place in suitable asbestos waste container

Disposable respirators can then be removed and
placed in a suitable asbestos waste container

Dispose of all waste, including all water, as asbestos
waste.

Visually inspect the area to ensure it has been
properly cleaned

Clearance air sampling is not normally required
Page 3 of 3