The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person should demonstrate the ability to:

obtain and apply work instructions for the safe and correct removal of non-friable asbestos

set up the work area and test equipment for use in the removal process of non-friable asbestos

isolate the site prior to removal, complying with regulatory requirements

remove non-friable asbestos safely and comply with regulatory requirements

contain the ACM and ensure its handling and disposal are safe and comply with requirements

decontaminate self, work equipment, and the work site safely and correctly

complete documentation that supports the removal process within limits of own responsibility.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

research resources, including industry-related systems information

safety data sheets.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person’s demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Required skills

communication and appropriate level of language skills to:

determine requirements

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

follow instructions

read and apply:

documentation from a variety of sources

drawings and specifications

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

initiative and enterprise skills to:

evaluate own actions and make judgements about performance and necessary improvements

identify and report faults in tools, equipment and materials to appropriate personnel

planning and organising skills to:

set out work

recognise procedures, follow instructions and contribute to workplace responsibilities, such as current environmental and safety systems and the ARCP

teamwork skills to:

coordinate own work with others to action tasks

relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

self-management skills to:

work independently and in teams to read and interpret relevant documentation and to prepare for non-friable asbestos removal tasks according to the recommended safe work method and ARCP

set up the asbestos removal area and removal site according to the safe work method and ARCP

check, fit and use PPE, and hand and power tools safely

apply general WHS procedures for construction work, including:

identifying, avoiding and eliminating electrical hazards

working safely at heights and in confined spaces

applying safe work practices to the use of tools appropriate to ACM removal

handling hazardous materials safely

applying safe work methods for the removal of non-friable asbestos

follow correct cleaning, decontamination and disposal procedures

Required knowledge

range of materials manufactured using asbestos, the type of asbestos used in each material, and the usual applications associated with the material, together with an understanding of:

health effects caused by exposure to ACM and requirement for safe handling and removal

health impacts on the community and requirement for safe handling and disposal

general WHS procedures for construction work as required, including identifying and mitigating risks

health hazards associated with friable ACM and circumstances that may change the nature of ACM from non-friable to friable, such as:

weathering

wear and tear

application of tools and equipment

accidental damage

licensing requirements for the use of specific equipment, such as excavators

safe work methods for the removal of non-friable asbestos

requirements of current legislation and standards relating to asbestos safety, and the decontamination, transport and disposal of asbestos waste

general construction terminology

handling requirements of differing types of asbestos materials

hazards associated with removal processes

work area procedures

job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS) if required for construction

safety data sheets (SDS)

materials storage and hazardous waste management

method of operation, and cleaning, use and maintenance requirements of equipment

plans, drawings and specifications, asbestos registers and register amendments

quality requirements relating to the removal of non-friable asbestos

risk assessment processes and contingency planning relating to the removal of non-friable asbestos

techniques associated with enclosing and removing asbestos

types, characteristics, uses and limitations of plant and equipment involved in enclosing and removing asbestos

workplace and equipment safety requirements

purpose and application of documentation for notification; and use of ARCP and clearance inspections

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 plan

company policies and procedures, including:

accessing toilets and other amenities

managing work hours to minimise risk from tiredness

working in heat and avoiding heat stress

JSA

legislation and regulations, including the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos

operating manuals and specifications for materials and equipment

SWMS

asbestos 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 time

atomiser and water spray bottles (not pressurised)

hoses and spray fittings

barricades, including tape, para-webbing and fencing

bars (crow and pinch)

bolt cutters

buckets

cold chisels

excavators

hand drills (manual and low-speed only)

fire extinguishers

hammers

hand tools (full kit)

ladders conforming to construction regulations

scaffolds

scrapers

shovels and spades

staple 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 cuffs

safety footwear (pull-on, not lace-up)

protective eyewear

disposable or protective gloves

correct face fitting and use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

respiratory protection required for the job, including class P1 and P2 face masks

spare sets of PPE.

Materials may include:

approved and branded plastic bags, including heavy-duty polythene bags (200 μm minimum thickness)

duct tape

foam infill spray

acrylic paint to seal ACM

polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) adhesive as spray to seal ACM

rags or other material wipes (used once)

signs

200 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 cement

asbestos cement moulded guttering

asbestos cement sheets

asbestos tiles

bitumastic felts and materials

adhesives and glues

compressed asbestos cement panels

floor vinyl covering

mortar

resinous backing board

sealant mastic

tape.

Workplace procedures may include:

environmental requirements, such as:

clean-up management

dust and noise management

notification to occupants, neighbours and other affected parties

sedimentation control

vibration management

waste management, including the safe disposal of ACM

quality requirements, such as:

internal company quality policy and standards

manufacturer specifications

relevant regulations, including Australian standards

workplace operations and procedures.

Project sites may include:

residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings

plant, equipment and fire boards (e.g. friction plant and gaskets)

demolition sites

electricity supply authority or work site

fences

ships and other forms of transport

sites for new building development.

Utilities may include:

air conditioning

electricity

water services.

Requirements to isolate the removal site:

will reflect the nature of the site

must comply with legislative requirements and the ARCP

may include:

using barriers

using signage

ensuring occupants are aware of the need to stay away from the removal site

ensuring 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 appropriate

place removed sections in appropriate containers or packaging

Note: 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 conductors

fully encapsulate the work area with plastic sheeting

use air respirators appropriate to the job

ensure 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-bagging

using heavy-duty polythene bags (200 μm minimum thickness) labelled with an appropriate warning

using 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’ vacuuming

decontamination unit for large non-friable removals in certain circumstances

wet wiping.

Documentation may include:

air-monitoring results, where necessary

asbestos register

notification to regulator of asbestos removal work

clearance certificates

asbestos removal control plans

procedures for the WHS management system and the emergency plan

equipment test reports

health-monitoring program

RPE face fits

competency training certificates.