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The asbestos removal process: what a properly run job looks like from the driveway

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You are not meant to supervise the work. You are meant to recognise whether the people doing it are following the rules.

A properly run asbestos job looks organised, marked off and unhurried. You do not need to know the technical detail to tell the difference. You need to know what the paperwork, the signage and the site should look like before anyone starts.

Before anything is touched

A licensed removalist should be able to show you their licence and its class. A Class B licence covers bonded material. Friable material needs Class A. Our page on the two licence classes explains the split. Ask to see it, and check the number with your state regulator. A real business will not mind.

You should also expect a written plan for the work, an agreed area that stays off limits, and a clear answer on who handles the waste. Some jurisdictions expect the regulator to be told before certain jobs begin. Rules differ by state, so ask your removalist which applies and check with the regulator yourself.

What you should see on the day

The work area is marked off. Warning signs are up. People and pets are kept away, and the crew wears protective gear that is clearly meant for the job, not a dust mask and a pair of old jeans. Material is not thrown, dropped or driven over. It is kept intact, wrapped and labelled for a licensed disposal site.

For friable work the picture changes. The area is sealed and an independent licensed assessor monitors the air. The removalist should not employ that assessor. We cover that stage in air monitoring and clearance.

Signs the job is not being run properly

Be wary of any of these:

  • No licence shown, or a licence that does not match the work.
  • No signs or barriers, and people walking in and out of the area.
  • Sheeting snapped, broken up or bagged loose.
  • A power tool or high-pressure hose used on material that may contain asbestos.
  • Waste left in a pile, or no answer on where it is going.

If you see any of this, ask the crew to stop and call your state regulator. Do not step into the work area to argue the point.

What happens at the end

Waste should leave the site wrapped and labelled, and go to a facility licensed to take it. See finding a licensed landfill for why that matters. For friable work, a clearance must be issued before anyone moves back in. For bonded work, ask what written record you will get that the job is finished.

This page tells you what to look for. It does not tell you how to do the work yourself, because that is a job for licensed people. If you are unsure whether your material needs a licensed removalist at all, read what a homeowner may legally remove first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the asbestos removal process in Australia?

A licensed removalist plans the job, marks off the work area, removes and wraps the material, and sends it to a licensed disposal site. Friable work also needs independent air monitoring and a clearance. Details vary by state.

How do I know a removalist is licensed?

Ask to see their licence, check its class matches the work, and confirm the number with your state or territory work health and safety regulator.

Who checks the air after friable asbestos is removed?

A licensed assessor who is independent of the removalist. They issue a clearance before anyone is allowed back into the area.

What should I do if the crew is not following the rules?

Ask them to stop, keep yourself and others out of the work area, and contact your state regulator.

Sources

What this page explains is based on these official sources. If you check one and it does not match what you read here, send it to us and the article gets corrected.

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