Use of power tools on asbestos

Background

WorkSafe has identified instances among licensed asbestos removal works, where power tools have been used in a non-compliant manner on asbestos-containing materials (ACM). This potentially increases the risk of airborne asbestos fiber release.

Regulation 216 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 applies to all employers and self-employed persons. It is also relevant to licensed removalists needing to conduct works including using a power tool to:

• remove asbestos-containing adhesive (sometimes called blackjack or mastic) from floors
• remove asbestos-containing bituminous membrane coating from a building roof.

Regulation 216 – key requirements

An employer or self-employed person must not use or cause a broom, brush (unless used to seal the asbestos), or high-pressure water jet, power tool or other similar tool or instrument to be used on ACM, unless the use is controlled.

This regulation does not apply if the airborne asbestos fiber levels are less than or equal to 0.01 f/ml while the tool or instrument is in use.

Controlling the use of a power tool

The use of a tool or instrument is considered controlled while being used, under the following conditions:

• the tool or instrument is enclosed (not the operator and tool or instrument enclosed together)
• engineering controls are used (such as on-tool water suppression or on-tool extraction)
• a combination of both of the above is used.

These control measures must ensure the release of airborne asbestos fibers does not exceed one half of the asbestos exposure standard.

Airborne asbestos fiber levels monitoring

Personal atmospheric monitoring is the only method to determine if the airborne asbestos fiber levels, are being exceeded. Atmospheric monitoring, including personal atmospheric monitoring, need to be undertaken by a person with the requisite knowledge, skills and experience. Employers must ensure appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is provided and employees must ensure they are worn as a control measure. The type of RPE selected and level of protection provided needs to be determined by a person with the requisite knowledge, skills and experience.

An employer or self-employed person must not rely on RPE to ensure that one half of the asbestos exposure standard is not exceeded. For example, protection factors cannot be factored in to determine the results of the atmospheric monitoring.

A precautionary approach to monitoring is recommended to help make sure no persons are exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. This should include controls such as the use of powered air-purifying respirators with a P3 cartridge. Other related controls include making sure no other persons, other than the person conducting the asbestos work, are in the vicinity.

It is important to note that the results of the monitoring are specifically for the tool or instrument used and the type of asbestos worked on. The results can’t subsequently be used to prove compliance for different tools or instruments, or for different materials.

Documentation to be available

Atmospheric monitoring results should be readily available and provided to a WorkSafe inspector if requested. It’s important that the results specifically indicate the:

• task being undertaken
• control measures used
• conditions under which monitoring took place
• results of the atmospheric monitoring (ensuring that the duration of monitoring is enough to report at the levels required).

The atmospheric monitoring results, or related documentation also needs to identify the:

• tool or instrument used during the monitoring period
• asbestos containing material on which it was used.

Where licensed removalists are using the tool or instrument, the asbestos control plan should also be updated to reflect the control measures used on site. The plan should have the atmospheric monitoring results attached.