Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to provide information for the containment, transport and disposal of all ACM waste products/materials.
Scope
This procedure applies to all Asbestos Removalist and Demolitions workers of our company who are involved in the containment, transport and disposal of ACM’s for our company including contractors, subcontractors, an employee of a contractor or subcontractor, an employee of a labour-hire company, an outworker, apprentice or trainee, volunteers, work experience students, and clients or third-party consultants.
Policy Statement
When developing a waste disposal program, the following should be taken into account:
- the containment of waste so as to eliminate the release of airborne asbestos fibres
- details of any asbestos or ACM to be left in-situ
- the types of fittings and supports and whether the removal and disposal of these items is
- part of the work specifications the location and security of waste storage on site
- the transport of waste within the site and off-site
- the location of the waste disposal site
- ensure that the proposed location for the storage and asbestos removal work area and the surrounding area will be unoccupied for the duration of the removal
- approvals needed from the relevant local disposal authority
- any local disposal authority requirements that may apply to the amount and dimensions of asbestos waste.
The development of the Asbestos Removal Control Plan and methods used to transport waste through a building needs to be determined by a competent person (usually the asbestos removal supervisor) following discussions with the person with management or control at the workplace. In occupied workplaces, all movement of waste containers through a building should take place outside normal working hours.
Prior to Asbestos Removal Work Commencing
Workers should design the route for removal of asbestos waste bags or containers, through the asbestos removal work area prior to the commencement of the asbestos removal work. Only unused bags and heavy-duty 200 μm (minimum thickness) Polyethene sheeting can be used. Bags labelled for asbestos waste should not be used for any other purpose.
Waste Removal
The waste disposal program should be included in the asbestos removal control plan and specify the method of transport and routes to be used for removing waste from the asbestos removal area before the commencement of each removal.
Loose asbestos waste must not accumulate within the asbestos removal work area by containing the waste in labelled asbestos waste bags or wrapped in plastic. Once the asbestos waste has been removed from the asbestos removal area, it should either be placed in a solid waste drum, bin or skip for secure storage and eventual disposal, or removed immediately from the site by an environmental protection agency (EPA) approved/licensed carrier for disposal.
The asbestos waste must be disposed of at a licensed asbestos waste disposal site. The disposal process must be in a manner that eliminates the release of airborne asbestos fibres by ensuring:
- bagged asbestos waste is securely packaged in labelled containers
- waste containers are secure during transport
- the method of unloading the waste is according to waste disposal procedures so that tearing of the plastic lining at the landfill site is prevented.
The asbestos waste must be disposed of as soon as reasonably practicable, whether that is:
- at the end of the removal job
- when the waste containers are full
- at the end of each day if the asbestos waste cannot be secured at the removal site.
Containment Bags and Sheeting
All asbestos waste, friable asbestos and small pieces of non-friable asbestos must be contained to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres. Containment is to be in new heavy-duty 200 μm (minimum thickness) Polyethene bags that are no more than 1200 mm long and 900mm wide to prevent manual task injuries.
Controlled wetting of the asbestos waste should be carried out to minimise asbestos dust emissions during bag/Polyethene sealing or any subsequent rupture of the bag or wrapped bundles. The bags must be twisted tightly and have the neck folded over and secured with adhesive tape (referred to as goose-necking).
To minimise the risk of a bag tearing or splitting and to assist in manual handling, asbestos waste bags should not be filled more than half full (depending on the weight of the items) and excess air should be gently evacuated from the waste bag in a way that does not cause the release of dust.
The bags should be labelled with appropriate signage stating that they contain asbestos and that dust creation and inhalation should be avoided. The external surface of each bag should be cleaned to remove any adhering dust before the bag is removed from the asbestos removal work area and double bagged outside the asbestos removal areas immediately following the decontamination process.
Sheeting
Asbestos sheeting and redundant asbestos-lagged pipes and equipment should be contained in heavy-duty 200 μm (minimum thickness) Polyethene sheeting.
Polythene sheeting should be new (not recycled) as recycled sheeting can have flaws in it. Once wrapped in plastic, the bundles need to be labelled to indicate they contain asbestos so they can be treated appropriately.
Asbestos sheeting and redundant asbestos-lagged pipes and equipment should be double wrapped in the polythene sheeting and adhesive tape applied to the entire length of every overlap to secure the bundles to minimise the risk of the Polyethene sheeting tearing or splitting.
Removing Waste from the Designated Work Area
Once the waste has been removed from the asbestos removal work area, it should either be:
- placed in a solid waste drum, bin or skip for secure storage and eventual disposal
- immediately removed from the site by the relevant EPA approved/licensed carrier for disposal.
Labels for Waste Containers and Drums
All containers containing a hazardous chemical such as asbestos must comply with to the labelling elements of the GHS. The waste drums or bins should be lined with plastic (minimum 200 μm thickness), and labels warning of the asbestos waste should be placed on the top and side of each drum or bin with the words, ‘Danger: Asbestos Do not break the seal’ or a similar warning.
Asbestos Drums and Bins
All drums or bins used for the storage and disposal of asbestos waste should be in good condition with lids and rims in good working order and free of hazardous residue. The drums or bins should:
- be placed in the asbestos removal work area or located as close to the asbestos removal work area as possible before removal work commences
- be lined with plastic (minimum 200 μm thickness) and labels warning of the asbestos waste must be placed on the exterior of each drum or bin
- have their rims sealed and their outer surfaces wet-wiped and inspected before they are removed from the asbestos removal work area.
- Controlled wetting of the waste during drum or bin filling should be carried out to minimise asbestos dust emissions.
Drums or bins used to store asbestos waste must be stored in a secure location when they are not in use. They should not be moved manually once they have been filled. Trolleys or drum lifters should be used.
If the drum or bin is to be reused, the asbestos waste should be packed and sealed so that when the drum or bin is emptied there is no residual asbestos contamination. The drum or bin should be inspected after use to ensure there is no asbestos residue.
Asbestos Skips, Vehicle Trays and other Containers
If the volume or size of the asbestos waste cannot be contained in asbestos waste bags, drums or bins, a waste skip, vehicle tray or similar container in good condition should be used.
The asbestos should be sealed in double-lined, heavy-duty plastic sheeting or double bagged before it is placed in the skip. However, non-friable asbestos waste may be placed directly into a skip or vehicle tray that has been double-lined with heavy-duty plastic sheeting (200 μm minimum thickness) provided it is kept damp to minimise the generation of airborne asbestos.
Once the skip is full, its contents should be completely sealed with the plastic sheeting. If the skip is emptied at a waste disposal site, procedures for containment of the plastic lining to prevent tearing should be developed.
If asbestos waste cannot be disposed of immediately, the skip may be used for storing the asbestos waste on the site over a period of time provided that the contents are secured (for example, using a lockable lid or locating the skip in a secure area) to prevent unauthorised access.
Transport and Disposal
Disposal of asbestos waste is the final step in the process of asbestos removal work. It is, therefore, the last point at which the exposure to risks associated with asbestos is likely to occur. The asbestos waste must be disposed of as soon as is practicable at a licensed asbestos disposal site.
The transport of commercial asbestos waste is covered under EPA legislation. Disposal sites are regulated by the EPA and local government regulations.
Documentation
- Project Management Plan (PMP)
- Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
- Asbestos Removal and Control Plan (ARCP)
- Asbestos and Demolition Notification form (Form 65)
- Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Relevant SOP
Definitions
ACM - Asbestos Containing Material