Excavator operating training for asbestos removal

If you’re an excavator operator, you might be subcontracted to assist with removing asbestos contaminated soil or demolishing fire-damaged buildings.

If you’re involved in licensed asbestos removal work, you must be trained to undertake the work specific to the type of asbestos containing material (ACM) being removed. Operators undertaking excavations and loading trucks and skip bins containing asbestos materials are required to be trained as an asbestos removal worker, in accordance with s460 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

It's important to note that asbestos awareness training alone does not provide the knowledge required for workers involved in removal activities.

Excavator workers contracted to undertake works related to friable and non-friable ACM

If you’re removing non-friable ACM, you must complete training in CPCCDE3014 - Remove non-friable asbestos. Non-friable asbestos materials include asbestos cement sheeting, often called fibro, used in many Queensland buildings constructed before 1990. The sheeting was used for cladding, roofs, and fences, and can often be found as backing boards in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

If you’re removing friable ACM, you must complete training in CPCCDE3015 - Remove friable asbestos. Friable asbestos includes material that contains asbestos in a powder form; it can also be crumbled, pulverised, or reduced to a powder by pressure when dry (this includes non-friable asbestos products that have been degraded and low-density asbestos fibre board (LDB)).

Asbestos removal training is designed to provide workers with the knowledge to safely identify and remove asbestos, to decontaminate people and any plant used in the removal, clean the work environment after a removal project, and transport asbestos waste safely.

More information

Read more about asbestos removal training requirements in Queensland.

Locate a registered training organisation at Training.gov