The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
Safety requirements will be specified from a range of sources that include: | asbestos removal control plancompany policies and procedures, including:accessing toilets and other amenitiesmanaging work hours to minimise risk from tirednessworking in heat and avoiding heat stressJSAlegislation and regulations, including the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestosoperating manuals and specifications for materials and equipmentSWMSasbestos register. |
Tools and equipment may require separate licensing for use and may include: | high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum cleaners to comply with AS3544-1988 and AS4260-1997 as amended from time to timeatomiser and water spray bottles (not pressurised)hoses and spray fittingsbarricades, including tape, para-webbing and fencingbars (crow and pinch)bolt cuttersbucketscold chiselsexcavatorshand drills (manual and low-speed only)fire extinguishershammershand tools (full kit)ladders conforming to construction regulationsscaffoldsscrapersshovels and spadesstaple guns. |
Personal protective equipment will be specified to the requirements of the job andmust include: | protective clothing, such as:disposable coveralls with fitted hood and cuffssafety footwear (pull-on, not lace-up)protective eyeweardisposable or protective glovescorrect face fitting and use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE)respiratory protection required for the job, including class P1 and P2 face masksspare sets of PPE. |
Materials may include: | approved and branded plastic bags, including heavy-duty polythene bags (200 μm minimum thickness)duct tapefoam infill sprayacrylic paint to seal ACMpolyvinyl alcohol (PVA) adhesive as spray to seal ACMrags or other material wipes (used once)signs200 μm unused (not recycled) plastic sheeting or drop sheet. |
Non-friable asbestos containing materials may include:Note: Non-friable asbestos is also known as bonded asbestos ACM notionally listed as non-friable may become friable due to weathering or damage | asbestos cementasbestos cement moulded gutteringasbestos cement sheetsasbestos tilesbitumastic felts and materialsadhesives and gluescompressed asbestos cement panelsfloor vinyl coveringmortarresinous backing boardsealant mastictape. |
Workplace procedures may include: | environmental requirements, such as:clean-up managementdust and noise managementnotification to occupants, neighbours and other affected partiessedimentation controlvibration managementwaste management, including the safe disposal of ACMquality requirements, such as:internal company quality policy and standardsmanufacturer specificationsrelevant regulations, including Australian standardsworkplace operations and procedures. |
Project sites may include: | residential, commercial, industrial and public buildingsplant, equipment and fire boards (e.g. friction plant and gaskets)demolition siteselectricity supply authority or work sitefencesships and other forms of transportsites for new building development. |
Utilities may include: | air conditioningelectricitywater services. |
Requirements to isolate the removal site: | will reflect the nature of the sitemust comply with legislative requirements and the ARCPmay include:using barriersusing signageensuring occupants are aware of the need to stay away from the removal siteensuring isolation has occurred by a licensed electrician and that this is documented. |
Asbestos is removed in a manner that complies with legislative and company requirements, and may include: | wet method (most preferred):saturate material by gently spraying with water and surfactant mixture (PVA in water ratio of 5:1)remove materials in sections with the minimum amount of cutting and separation and using hand tools as appropriateplace removed sections in appropriate containers or packagingNote: The application of the wet asbestos removal method requires the disconnection of the building’s power supply and use of a temporary power source fitted with earth leakage and residual current device (RCD)dry method (least preferred):to be used only where conditions prohibit use of the wet spray method, i.e. in the vicinity of electrical conductorsfully encapsulate the work area with plastic sheetinguse air respirators appropriate to the jobensure removal methods minimise the production of airborne material, for example the use of asbestos vacuum cleaners for shadow vacuuming (Note: domestic vacuum cleaners even fitted with a HEPA filter are unsuitable)place removed material immediately in appropriate containers and dampen with sprayed mist. |
Asbestos iscontained and sealed using a range of techniques, including: | double-baggingusing heavy-duty polythene bags (200 μm minimum thickness) labelled with an appropriate warningusing drums or bins in good condition with well-fitting lids labelled with appropriate warning signage or labels.Note: If too large for a bin or bag, a skip or vehicle tray may be used provided it is double-lined with heavy-duty thick plastic sheeting. When ACMs are loaded on a truck tray, the ACMs must be wetted down and then fully wrapped and sealed with a layer of 200 μm sheeting or bagged. Labelling must occur. |
Decontamination of asbestos removal workers is carried out: | using a range of techniques, including:‘buddy’ vacuumingdecontamination unit for large non-friable removals in certain circumstanceswet wiping. |
Documentation may include: | air-monitoring results, where necessaryasbestos registernotification to regulator of asbestos removal workclearance certificatesasbestos removal control plansprocedures for the WHS management system and the emergency planequipment test reportshealth-monitoring programRPE face fitscompetency training certificates. |