Compliance code: Managing asbestos in workplaces

This compliance code provides practical guidance on how to comply with your obligations under Victoria's occupational health and safety legislation to manage risks associated with exposure to asbestos in your workplace.

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What it contains

If your work involves situations where exposure to asbestos could occur, there are specific duties and obligations you need to comply with under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) 2004 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OHS Regulations) 2017. This compliance code gives you practical guidance on how to comply with those duties and obligations. If your work involves removing asbestos, see the Compliance code: Removing asbestos in workplaces compliance code.

This information is particularly relevant if you have management or control of a workplace, or plant in a workplace, where asbestos is present, or you are an employer at a workplace where asbestos is present. It is also relevant for employers engaged in asbestos-related activities, and employers or self-employed persons performing demolition or refurbishment at a workplace where is asbestos is present. Additionally, it may be useful for employees and health and safety representatives. It uses examples and tools you can apply to your own situation.

It includes information on:

  • what the duties are for controlling exposure to asbestos
  • how to determine who has management or control of a workplace
  • prohibitions that are in place for asbestos and asbestos-containing materials
  • how to identify and analyse asbestos in the workplace
  • how to create and maintain an asbestos register
  • indicating the presence of asbestos
  • controlling risks to health associated with the presence of asbestos
  • how to manage demolition and refurbishment work where asbestos is present
  • what an asbestos management plan should include
  • duties and methods for carrying out asbestos-related activities
  • examples and technical information for a range of asbestos removal scenarios

It is recommended that you follow the compliance code. If you comply with a code, you are deemed to comply with the Act or Regulation duty covered by the code. However, codes are not mandatory and duty holders may choose to use some other way to achieve compliance.

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