Managing asbestos in workplaces
WorkSafe Victoria
This Code provides information about situations (except asbestos removal work) where a risk to health could arise from exposure to asbestos in a workplace, including:
• where asbestos is present in a building, structure, ship or plant, or has been identified elsewhere at the workplace
• demolition works on a building, structure, ship or plant where asbestos is present • activities involving asbestos.
It is not possible for this Code to deal with every risk arising from asbestos a duty holder may encounter at their workplace. The guidance in this Code needs to therefore be considered with regard to the particular characteristics and circumstances of the workplace.
For guidance about removing asbestos see WorkSafe’s Removing asbestos in workplaces compliance code (2018).
For information on the transport and disposal of asbestos waste go to epa.vic.gov.au.
Contents:
Preface
Introduction
General requirements of Part 4.4 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017
Prohibitions
Prohibitions under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985
Prohibitions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
Asbestos in workplaces
Asbestos register
Indicating the presence of asbestos
Controlling risks to health associated with the presence of asbestos
Demolition and refurbishment
Asbestos management plan
Asbestos-related activities
Appendix A: The compliance framework
Appendix B: Definitions
Appendix C: Taking asbestos samples
Appendix D: Example of an asbestos register
Appendix E: Asbestos register duties
Appendix F: Signs and labels
Appendix G: Asbestos-related activities
Appendix H: Selection and use of personal protective equipment and clothing for asbestos-related activities
Appendix I: Exposure standard and atmospheric monitoring
Appendix J: Sealing asbestos cement sheeting
Appendix K: Drilling of asbestos-containing material
Appendix L: Cleaning debris from asbestos cement roof gutters
Appendix M: Replacing cabling in asbestos cement conduits or boxes
Appendix N: Working on electrical mounting boards (switchboards) containing asbestos
Appendix O: Working with asbestos friction materials and high-temperature gaskets
Appendix P: Examples of asbestos-containing materials
Appendix Q: Information required to be included in an asbestos control plan
Appendix R: Documents associated with this compliance code
