What Are the Legal Requirements When Working with Asbestos?
Federal, state and territory governments have regulations in force to protect you, your family, the environment and the community when you are working with asbestos. Legal requirements relating to asbestos include:
- It is illegal to dispose of asbestos waste in domestic garbage bins
- It is illegal to re-use or recycle asbestos products
- It is illegal to dump asbestos products – locate your closest asbestos disposal facility
- It is illegal to use power tools that make asbestos fibres airborne
- It is illegal to waterblast asbestos cement sheets (fibro)
- Only licenced asbestos removalists can remove asbestos of 10 square metres or more
- Only licenced Friable Asbestos Removalists are able to handle or remove any amount of friable asbestos
- Licenced removal work has to be notified to SafeWork NSW 7 days prior to removal
- A worksite permit must be issued to remove friable asbestos
- All licenced contractors have to be able to give you a copy of their licence, you should ask to see their licence when hiring an asbestos removalist to ensure they have a current licence
- 10 square metres is equivalent to the size of a typical bedroom wall in an average home or about the size of a small bathroom or an outside toilet or shed
- All licenced contractors must be able to give you a copy of their current licence – ask to see their licence when hiring an asbestos removalist
- All asbestos removal is to be in accordance with Safe Work Australia’s Model Code of Practice: How to safely remove asbestos July 2020.
- It is illegal to bury asbestos on your own property
- All asbestos must be legally disposed of at a lawful landfill site. Not every landfill site is authorised to accept asbestos. To find a site near you contact the relevant authority in your state or territory or visit the Asbestos Safety & Eradication Agency’s database.
- Your council may also have policies regarding the removal of asbestos so visit your council’s website to find out what’s required
- NSW residents and tradies can call the 1800 Asbestos Hotline (1800 272 378) for asbestos enquiries.
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