Asbestos

Identifying asbestos and ACM in your place of work is the first step. This must be done by someone with the proper training, qualification and experience. You can see who's qualified to do this in the How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace Code of Practice 2011.

The Queensland Government has a dedicated asbestos website with useful information covering where to look for asbestos and information on high-risk prohibited work such as the prohibited use of high-pressure water spray on ACMs. The website also has information on asbestos registers. You must keep an asbestos register if there's asbestos or ACM in your place of work. Buildings constructed after 31 December 1989 don't need an asbestos register unless asbestos has been identified at your place of work.

You must also make an asbestos management plan if asbestos has been identified. This will help you to set out how you’re going to manage asbestos or ACM in your place of work. Asbestos management plans and registers must be updated at least every five years.

If asbestos has been found, the next step is to make a risk assessment. This will help you figure out:

• if there is a risk that your workers could be exposed to airborne asbestos
• whether any effective control measures are in place
• what actions you can take to control this risk
• how urgently you should act.

It’s important to know that asbestos or ACM that’s in good condition and left untouched, is relatively low risk. Asbestos is most dangerous when it’s deteriorating, damaged or disturbed. This is when the harmful asbestos fibres become airborne.

When deciding if there’s a risk, you must consider whether the asbestos is:

• in poor condition
• likely to deteriorate or be damaged
• likely to be disturbed due to work carried out in your place of work
• in an area where workers are exposed to the material.

You can find more information on assessing the risk of asbestos in the How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice 2011.

After assessing the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos in your place of work, you’ll need to use a control measure. You may need to use a combination of these controls in order to meet your responsibilities under WHS laws.

Control measures

• Eliminating the risk
  If the asbestos or ACM in your place of work is posing a serious risk, you should remove it. The How to Safely Remove Asbestos Code of Practice 2011 sets out how to remove asbestos including requirements for inspections, removal, transport and disposal. You can read more about the laws, methods and requirements that apply to your situation when you remove and dispose of asbestos in the legislation and codes of practice. Make sure you understand what asbestos notifications you must make to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, as well as when and how to submit your notifications.
• Isolating the risk
  If it's not reasonably practicable to remove the asbestos, you can isolate it. This is done by enclosing, encapsulating or sealing up the asbestos.
  
  Only using the correct tools and equipment when working around the asbestos will also help you minimise the chance of creating airborne asbestos.
• Using administrative controls
  You must also use administrative controls if there’s still a risk after you’ve tried to reduce it with other control measures. Administrative controls protect your workers by working in ways that reduce their exposure to a hazard. These are covered in safe work procedures.
• Using personal protective equipment (PPE)
  Your workers will need to use PPE in combination with other effective control measures when working with asbestos. Your selection and use of PPE should be based on your risk assessment. PPE includes disposable coveralls, gloves, respirators and protective eyewear.
  
  Note: the information provided on this page should be read together with the How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace Code of Practice 2011.

Risk management should be an ongoing process in your business and you should review your control measures regularly. Don’t wait until something goes wrong.

As part of your ongoing risk management, health monitoring is required for workers under certain circumstances.

Work health and safety laws require you to review controls:

• when you become aware a control measure is not working effectively
• before a change that might give rise to a new risk
• when you find a new hazard or risk
• when your workers tell you that a review is needed
• after a health and safety representative requests a review.

Asbestos management plans and registers must be updated at least every five years.

The How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 0.65 MB) includes a list of questions to help you identify any issues.