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. |
Information to ensure the safe and correct completion of the job may include: | ARCPlicensed asbestos assessor’s reportasbestos registercompany policies and procedures, including:accessing toilets and other amenitiesmanaging work hours to minimise risk from tirednessworking in heat and avoiding heat stressoperating manuals and specifications for materials and equipmentSWMS or JSA for construction as requireddiagrams or sketchesinstructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnelmanufacturer specifications and instructions, where specifiedSDSregulatory and legislative requirements for enclosing and removing asbestosrelevant Australian standards and codessafe work procedures relating to enclosing and removing asbestosmemos, verbal and written instructions, and diagramswork bulletinswork schedules, plans and specifications. |
Safety procedures are to be according to state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan, and may include: | emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires and evacuationhandling activities that may require the assistance of others or the use of manual or mechanical lifting devices where size, weight or other issues, such as a disability, are a factorhazard controlhazardous materials and substancesorganisational first aid requirementsPPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practicessafe operating procedures according to WHS management system, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:deactivating or securing utilities, including electrical, air conditioning and water servicesearth leakage boxesfalling objectslightingplant movementpower cables, including overhead service trays, cables and conduitsrestricted access barrierssurrounding structurestraffic controltrip hazardswork site visitors and the publicworking at heightsworking in confined spacesworking in proximity to othersuse of firefighting equipmentuse of tools and equipmentworkplace environmental requirements and safety. |
Materials may include: | acrylic paint to seal ACMapproved and branded or labelled plastic bagsduct tapefoam infill spraygaffer tapeplastic sheetingpolyvinyl alcohol (PVA) adhesive as spray / spray tack gluerags or other material wipesheavy-duty polythene bags (200 μm minimum thickness)200 μm unused (not recycled) plastic sheeting or drop sheetsignstimber frames, nails, aluminium poles and other materials required for enclosuresglove bag material. |
Quality requirements may include: | internal company quality policy and standardsmanufacturer specificationsrelevant regulations, including Australian standardsworkplace operations and procedures. |
Environmental requirements must fully reflect legislation and the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos, including: | clean-up managementdust and noise managementsedimentation controlvibration managementwaste management, including the safe disposal of asbestos containing materials, including waste water from decontamination unit (DCU). |
Preparation may include: | assessing conditions and hazardsdetermining work requirements, and safety plans and policiesidentifying equipment defectsidentifying, preparing for enclosing, and removing asbestos from a work site according to an ARCP work site inspection. |
Plant 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 timeanchorage points for the enclosurenegative air pressure enclosures or bubblesenclosure equipmentatomiser and water bottles (not pressurised)barricades, including barricade tape, para-webbing, hoarding or fencingbars (crow and pinch)decontamination unit and remote decontamination unitdecontamination facilitiesexcavatorshammersladders to comply with construction regulations if requiredhoses and spray fittingsflame retardant polythenehardboard / corexscaffoldsscrapersshovels and spadessmoke-testing equipmentstatic lines. |
Personal protective equipment will be specified to the requirements of the job andmay include: | protective clothing, such as:disposable coveralls with fitted hood and cuffssafety footwear (pull-on, not lace-up)protective eye wear, such as safety glassesfull body safety harnessdisposable protective glovescorrect respiratory protection class P3, full face respirators and airline respirators for negative air enclosurescorrect face fitting and use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE)spare sets of PPE. |
Friable asbestos containing materials are easily crumbled or reduced to powder by hand, and may include: | asbestos backing on vinyl flooringmaterial in degraded condition that has rendered the material friable, including:asbestos cementasbestos cement moulded gutteringasbestos cement sheetscorrugated asbestos cement roofing sheets in degraded conditionasbestos in matrix of sprayed vermiculitelow density boardsprayed on fireproofing, soundproofing and thermal insulationacoustic plaster soundproofingthermal insulationgaskets that have become friablesealants that have become friablepipe laggingwoven textiles, ropes, tapes and braidsdecorative coatings. |
Project sites may include: | residential, commercial, industrial and public buildingsplant, equipment and fire boards (e.g. friction plant and gaskets)demolition sitesfencesships and other forms of transportsites for new building development. |
Utilities may include: | air conditioningelectricitywater services. |
Requirements to enclose the removal site: | will reflect the nature of the site and must comply with legislative and company requirementsmay include the use of:negative pressure exhaust units to prevent the escape of asbestos fibres from contained asbestos work areasenclosures for large-scale asbestos removal work, including:design and installation considerationstesting of enclosuresdecontaminationmini-enclosures for small-scale asbestos removal workglove bag and wrap and cut removal methoddecontamination unitwaste water and filtration or handling unit. |
Removal processes may include the following methods: | drywetsaturation. |
Asbestos is removed from work site in a manner that complies with legislative and company requirements, and may include: | wet method, including: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, 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 if required due to electrical safety issuesaturation method. |
Safe work methods may include: | compliant set-up of the asbestos work area, including set-up of negative air, lighting, water and emergency suppliesplacing adequate signage around friable asbestos work sitefire and emergency system requirementsenclosure of the asbestos removal area and the plant, equipment and fixtures remaining in the areatesting the asbestos enclosure in the work areaprocedures for entering and leaving the enclosure in the asbestos work areasafe techniques for removing friable asbestospackaging and removing contaminated plant, tools and equipmentcleaning and decontaminating tools, equipment and the asbestos work areadecontaminating and demobilising the asbestos work sitefinal decontamination of personneldisposing of asbestos waste. |
Asbestos iscontained and sealed before removing from the work area and work site 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 signs or labelsmini enclosures, such as glove bag and wrap and cut methods (suitable for friable ACM removal from small areas).Notes:For larger-scale disposal, the supplier of a waste removal bin must be informed of the usage to ensure appropriate and legal disposal.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: | ‘buddy’ vacuumingdecontamination unit for large non-friable removals in certain circumstanceswet wiping. |
Documentation may include: | ARCPair-monitoring plans for control air monitoringair-monitoring resultsasbestos registernotification of asbestos removal work to the regulatorclearance certificatesknowledge of the procedures in the certified SMSemergency plan developmentequipment test certificateshealth-monitoring programRPE face fitscompetency training certificates. |