Purpose
This Guideline provides advice on how and when Air Monitoring must be used on our company worksite.
Scope
This guideline applies to our company workers including authorised contractors and trainees.
Description
When is Air Monitoring Required?
Air monitoring requirements will vary depending on the type of asbestos being removed, the location and position of the asbestos, if an enclosure is used and whether the asbestos removal work is within a building or outside.
- Friable asbestos removal - Air monitoring is mandatory for all friable asbestos removal. This includes prior to dismantling an enclosure and for the purposes of the clearance inspection.
- More than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos removal - Air monitoring is not required but may be considered to be carried out by an independent licensed asbestos assessor or competent person to ensure compliance with the duty to eliminate or minimise exposure to airborne asbestos and to ensure the exposure standard is not exceeded.
- Public Location - Air monitoring should be considered where the asbestos removal work is being undertaken in or next to a public location.
- Exposure air monitoring - Air monitoring should be carried out at other times to determine a worker’s exposure to airborne asbestos if, based on reasonable grounds, there is uncertainty as to whether the exposure standard may be exceeded and a risk assessment by a competent person indicates it is necessary. Since most uses of asbestos are prohibited, exposure monitoring should not be required frequently.
Air monitoring may be required when:
- it is not clear whether new or existing control measures are effective
- there is evidence (for example, dust deposits are outside the enclosure) the control measures have deteriorated as a result of poor maintenance
- modifications or changes in safe work methods have occurred that may adversely affect worker exposure
- there has been an uncontrolled disturbance of asbestos in the workplace.
When must the Air Monitoring be Carried Out?
The air monitoring must be conducted before and during Class A asbestos removal work. However, it is not required before friable asbestos removal work commences when the glove bag removal technique is used. Air monitoring must be carried out as part of the clearance inspection, for instance at the conclusion of the asbestos removal work.
Who Must Conduct Air Monitoring
A person who is commissioned to perform asbestos removal work that requires a Class A licence must ensure that an independent licensed asbestos assessor undertakes air monitoring of the asbestos removal area at the workplace.
In relation to asbestos removal work requiring a licence:
Friable asbestos removal – An independent licensed asbestos assessor must be engaged to carry out air monitoring when it is required.
Non-friable asbestos removal (more than 10 m²) – An independent licensed asbestos assessor or competent person must be engaged to carry out air monitoring when it is required.
Where air monitoring is otherwise required, for instance, to determine whether the exposure standard has been exceeded following an uncontrolled disturbance or release of asbestos at the workplace, an independent licensed asbestos assessor or competent person may carry it out. However, if the release involves friable asbestos, only an independent licensed asbestos assessor can carry out the air monitoring.
Results of the Air Monitoring
Once the results of the air monitoring are received, the licensed asbestos removalist must take action depending on the respirable fibre level. Where the results show that respirable asbestos fibre levels exceed the action levels, action must be taken immediately.
Less than 0.01 fibres/ml
- No new control measures are necessary
- Continue with control measures
- At 0.01 fibres/ml or more than 0.01 fibres/ml but less than or equal to 0.02 fibres/ml
- Review
- Review control measures
- Investigate
- Investigate the cause
- Implement
- Implement controls to eliminate or minimise exposure and prevent further release
More than 0.02 fibres/ml
- Stop removal work
- Stop removal work
- Notify the regulator
- Notify the relevant regulator by phone followed by fax or written statement that work has ceased and the results of the air monitoring
- Investigate the cause
- Conduct a thorough visual inspection of the enclosure (if used) and associated equipment in consultation with all workers involved with the removal work
More than 0.02 fibres/ml
- Implement controls to eliminate or minimise exposure and prevent further release
- Extend the isolated/barricaded area around the removal area/enclosure as far as reasonably practicable (until fibre levels are at or below 0.01 fibres/ml, wet wipe and vacuum the surrounding area, seal and identified leaks (e.g. with expandable foam or tape) and smoke test the enclosure until satisfactorily sealed
- Do not recommence removal work until further air monitoring is conducted
- Do not recommence until fibre levels are at or below 0.01 fibres/ml
Communicating the Results of the Air Monitoring
The person who commissions the licensed asbestos removal work must ensure the results of the air monitoring are given to the following persons:
- workers at the workplace
- health and safety representatives for the workplace
- persons conducting businesses or undertakings at the workplace
- other persons at the workplace.
If the workplace is domestic premises, the licensed asbestos removalist must ensure the results are given to the following persons:
- the person who commissioned the work
- workers at the workplace
- health and safety representatives for the workplace
- persons conducting businesses or undertakings at the workplace
- the occupier of the domestic premises
- the owner of the domestic premises
- other persons at the workplace.
Definitions
Air monitoring - air monitoring involves capturing the contaminant from a known volume of air, measuring the amount of contaminant captured, and expressing it as a concentration. It must be conducted in accordance with the Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Dust, 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 3003 (2005)].