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This information is provided to offer guidance on a particular aspect of legislation. It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed towaive or modify any legal obligation.

A business unit of the Department for Administrative and Information Services

ASBESTOS CEMENT (FIBRO) SHEETING

OBJECTIVE

To provide guidelines on the safe removal ofasbestos cement sheeting and of thelicencing and approval requirements forundertaking asbestos removal work.

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Under Section 19 of the Occupational Health,Safety and Welfare Act 1986, employers arerequired to provide a safe work environment,safe systems of work and ensure workersreceive adequate training and supervision.

There are also specific requirements underthe Occupational Health, Safety and WelfareRegulations 1995 and the new OccupationalHealth, Safety and Welfare (Asbestos)Variation Regulations 2004, which prescribespecific measures to be taken when removingasbestos cement sheeting.

Where the asbestos cement sheets to beremoved cover an area of more than 10square metres, the removalist must hold anAsbestos Removal Licence issued by theDirector, SafeWork SA. The licensee must

obtain approval prior to commencing theasbestos removal work.

Both licensees and anyone removingasbestos cement sheets less than 10 squaremetres must do so in accordance with theApproved Code of Practice for the SafeRemoval of Asbestos. Any employee workingwith asbestos cement sheeting must betrained in the appropriate safe workingprocedures to ensure that any risks areminimised. Training records must be kept by

the employer.

RISK CONTROL MEASURES

Asbestos becomes a health risk whenasbestos fibres are released into the airand inhaled. Asbestos fibres can causeasbestosis, lung cancer andmesothelioma.

These diseases are chacterised by long latencyperiods. It may take up to 40 years betweeninitial exposure and the onset of the disease.

It is important to ensure minimal release of dustor small particles when working with asbestoscement products. When asbestos products aredisturbed e.g. drilled, cut, or broken in theprocess of removal, asbestos fibres may be

released.

In the past, asbestos cement sheeting may havebeen used as roofing or wall cladding inbuildings or other structures.

To control the risks when removing sheeting: close the windows and doors on the

building to prevent the entry/exit of any dustreleased during the removal work;

let people know in advance (such asneighbours/occupants), that you will be

removing asbestos; rope off the area below or adjacent to the

work zone to 10 metres distance wherepossible;

before beginning to remove roof sheets, wetthem down with water or a PVA solution -do not use high pressure water jets.Caution: wet sheets may create a risk ofslipping and falling from the roof;

wear disposable coveralls and an AustralianStandards approved particulate respirator(e.g. a P1 or P2 disposable respirator or ahalf-face respirator mask fitted with P1 orP2 dust cartridges);

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Safeguard Asbestos Cement (Firbo) SheetingcontinuedThis information is provided to offer guidance on a particular aspect of legislation. It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed towaive or modify any legal obligation.

do not use power tools, other than toremove roofing screws or fastenings;

handle carefully to ensure minimalbreakage of roof sheets;

lower asbestos sheeting carefully, do notdrop them to the ground;

stack sheets carefully and place the

removed asbestos sheets on plastic (200micron) in a waste bin or tray top of atruck. Do not allow them to lie around thesite, where they may be broken orcrushed by machinery or site traffic;

when stacking sheets do not skid onesheet over another, as this can causerelease of fibres;

wrap the removed asbestos sheets anddebris, which contain asbestos, in plastic(200 micron) tape and mark with awarning CAUTION ASBESTOS, DO NOTINHALE DUST in a colour contrasting tothe background. The warning is to berepeated at least 3 times on 1 side;

dispose of asbestos waste in a mannerand at a site approved in accordance withthe requirements of the EnvironmentProtection Authority (EPA);

do not reuse asbestos cement sheets; clean up any residues within the roof

space or around the removal area usingan approved vacuum cleaner fitted with a

high-efficiency particulate air filter. Do notuse a domestic vacuum cleaner; place all used disposable coveralls and

masks in bags for removal with the otherasbestos wastes in accordance with theApproved Code of Practice;

dispose of asbestos waste material fromthe site as soon as practicable, usingcovered bins or on a covered truck in linewith the EPA Guidelines, September2004.

FURTHER INFORMATION

SeeApproved Code of Practice for SafeRemoval of Asbestos, Section 9 published bySA Occupational Health and SafetyCommission.

For information on transportation and disposalof asbestos cement waste products contactthe EPA on (08) 8204 2000.

SafeWork SAGPO Box 465ADELAIDE SA 5001Tel. 1300 365 255(If calling from a mobile phone or from interstatetel. (08) 8303 0400)

website: www.safework.sa.gov.au

Issued February 2005

Review February 2006