Compliance code: Removing asbestos in workplaces

What it contains

If your work involves removing asbestos, 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 you are not removing asbestos but your work involves situations where exposure to asbestos could occur, see the Compliance code: Managing asbestos in workplaces.

The information in this compliance code is particularly relevant if you are a licensed asbestos removalist, or an employer or self-employed person carrying out limited removal work. It is also relevant for people who commission asbestos removal work, those who manage or control workplaces where removal work is performed, and employees and health and safety representatives of workplaces where removal work is carried out. 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 material
• different types of asbestos removal work
• general requirements for all asbestos removal work
• additional requirements that apply to licensed asbestos removal
• additional requirements that apply to Class A licensed asbestos removal work
• paraoccupational air monitoring and clearance inspections
• who an ‘independent person’ is for the purpose of Part 4.4 of the OHS Regulations
• duties associated with asbestos-contaminated soil
• 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.