• Section 1 - Summary
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Definitions
• Section 4 - Policy/Regulation
• Section 5 - Procedures
• Part A - Summary of Roles and Responsibilities
• Part B - Procedures
• Section 6 - Supporting Documents and Information

Section 1 - Summary

(1) This Procedure is to prevent asbestos-related disease resulting from exposure to airborne asbestos in the workplace and to ensure asbestos containing materials are managed and controlled according to Victorian and Australian legislative requirements.

Section 2 - Scope

(2) This Procedure applies to:

1. Victoria University (VU) buildings erected before 2005, VU grounds, surface coverings, portable equipment, plant and devices.
2. VU Facilities Staff and Contractors performing work for the University, OH&S Advisors, Victoria University Staff and Asbestos Consultants.

Section 3 - Definitions

(3) ACM - Asbestos Containing Material – ACM include materials such as cement sheeting, vinyl floor tiles, ceiling tiles, insulation of old furnaces, boilers and water heaters, bar heaters, heating mantles, pump gaskets, pipe gaskets, switchboard linings, heat resistant mats and asbestos gloves.

(4) Asbestos - Naturally occurring fibrous mineral. Asbestos was commonly used in a wide variety of industrial, Manufacturing, building and construction applications in Australia between the 1940s and late 1980s. The presence of asbestos does not pose health risks unless it is broken, in poor or deteriorated condition, or disturbed during activities that produce dust containing asbestos fibers. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is a serious health risk and can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Are referred to as a Unit of Competency.

(5) Asbestos Consultant - Audit - A qualified Occupational Hygienist with specialist knowledge appointed to identify all ACM in Victoria University buildings and major building equipment items and update the Asbestos Registers (Division 5 Audit, and report on any ACM identified prior to demolition Division 6 Audit). This may include testing of Asbestos Containing Materials.

(6) Asbestos Consultant - Removal - A qualified Occupational Hygienist, who is an independent party, with specialist knowledge to oversee the requirements for asbestos removal to ensure that all aspects of the removal specification are strictly followed.  This includes review of proposed removal operations, determination of airborne asbestos, visual inspection for residue and provision of clearance certificates.

(7) Asbestos Coordinator - The person appointed by the University to act as the main contact for asbestos related issues. This person oversees the safe management of asbestos within the University.

(8) Asbestos Disturbance - Where actions to asbestos containing materials occur causing release of airborne asbestos fibers. For example where asbestos containing materials are removed, cut, damaged or drilled or where enclosed areas which contain ACM are opened and/or entered.

(9) Asbestos Exposure - Where airborne asbestos fibers are inhaled. The asbestos concentration which could impact on health is above 0.1 fibers per milliliter measured as a time weighted average over an 8 hour working day in a person's breathing zone according to the required standards.

(10) Asbestos Management Plan – Plans to remove or replace ACM in VU buildings built or refurbished prior to 2005.

(11) Asbestos Removalist - A business appointed by the principal contractor or directly by the University to remove ACM.  Must be licensed for asbestos removal works with Worksafe under Part 4.4 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic).

(12) Asbestos Register - A register identifying all the locations where asbestos is present within the University. The Register details the location of asbestos containing materials in all buildings erected prior to 2005, the ACM condition and priority classification.

(13) Contractor – Maintenance person or company or builder engaged by the University to undertake, maintenance, construction or upgrade works.

(14) Division 5 Risk Assessment - Assessment of the health risk associated with the presence of asbestos an overview ACM in University buildings erected before 2005.  Division 5 Assessments to include all buildings erected/renovated prior to 2005 not previously assessed.

(15) Division 6 Risk Assessment - An audit of all buildings erected or renovated prior to 2005 which ensures identification of all hazardous material before demolition or refurbishment.  Division 6 assessments shall include sample testing following removal of tiles, carpet, floor coverings and sampling of walls and insulation.  Where destructive testing is required, the area shall be sealed off to minimise risk of exposures between testing and refurbishment work. NOTE: Most Division 6 assessments require demolition of small areas of rooms or equipment for sampling to assess if ACM or other hazardous materials are present.

(16) Friable Asbestos - Asbestos-containing materials which, when dry, can be crumbled or pulverized to a powder by hand or, as a result of a work process, becomes such that it may be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure.

(17) Hazardous materials – Term to materials such as asbestos, paint containing lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, synthetic mineral fibers etc. which may be present in older buildings.

(18) HEPA - High efficiency particulate arrestance (or air) filter.

(19) NATA - National Australian Testing Authority - approves the methods and accredits the providers of asbestos content determinations and sampling for airborne asbestos fibers.

(20) Nominated Builder - Where capital works exceed $350,000 the Nominated Builder will assume the responsibilities of the Asbestos Coordinator.

(21) Non-friable Asbestos - Asbestos containing materials that when dry, cannot be crumbled by hand pressure.

(22) Priority Risk Ratings – Risk levels following Hazardous Materials audits:

1. P1: Hazards with High Risk Potential - These areas are isolated, labelled and addressed as soon as is practicable.
2. P2: Hazards with Elevated Risk Potential.
3. P3: Do not currently pose a significant risk to health and safety.
4. P4: No access during survey.

(23) Elumina Quicksafe - Victoria University's Incident Management System.

(24) Recfind - Victoria University's Document Records System.

(25) VU Facilities Project Manager - The Victoria University Facilities staff person responsible for managing the works. Any Staff who plan and oversee building maintenance or works for a given building demolition, excavation or renovation job.

(26) Worksafe - the Victorian WorkCover Authority

Section 4 - Policy/Regulation

(27) Health and Safety Policy

Section 5 - Procedures

Part A - Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

Part B - Procedures

General Requirements

(28) As far as is reasonably practicable, any risk associated with the presence of asbestos must be eliminated by removing the asbestos. The person managing the workplace must ensure that all persons at the workplace are not exposed to an atmospheric concentration of asbestos fibres in excess of the asbestos exposure standard.

1. If the ACM can't be removed and any risk remains, it must be enclosed.
2. If the ACM has been enclosed but there is still a health risk, the material must be sealed.
3. If the ACM is present it must be labelled.
4. If there is any doubt about whether airborne asbestos is present, then determination of an employee’s exposure to airborne asbestos fibres must be carried out.

(29) Where asbestos is fully encased and sealed it presents no risk, this material shall be labelled as containing asbestos and listed on the Asbestos Register. Asbestos identification labels shall be selected and placed according to the Asbestos Labelling Guidelines.

Prohibited activity

(30) Due to the hazard that it poses, the manufacture, supply, storage, transport, sale, use, re-use, installation and replacement of asbestos is banned across Australia. Care should be exercised when purchasing or acquiring items from other countries as the same legislation may not apply in jurisdictions other than Australia.

Identify Asbestos Containing Materials

(31) The Asbestos Coordinator will ensure that asbestos containing materials at each Victoria University Workplace and building (erected prior to 2005) are clearly identified and labelled as far as is reasonably practicable.

(32) This includes identifying when buildings were constructed and what materials were in construction and any ACM in plant under the control of Victoria University.

(33) ACM are identified using an Asbestos Consultant - Audit. The Asbestos Consultant - Audit must inspect locations, and revise and update the Asbestos Register.

(34) Where there is uncertainty (based on reasonable grounds) as to whether any material is likely to contain asbestos then assume asbestos is present and manage, contain and label accordingly or arrange for analysis of samples.

Asbestos Register (Division 5 Review)

(35) The locations of asbestos containing materials in buildings erected prior to 2005, will be recorded in a register, which must be current, with all relevant information about the identified ACM. The register must include a record of:

1. the location of the asbestos
2. the type of Asbestos Containing Material
3. the nature of the Asbestos Containing Material (friable or non-friable)
4. the condition of the ACM
5. any work activities that may affect or cause damage or deterioration to the ACM.
6. Level of access
7. Risk priority rating for the material. P1 to P4 (Refer to priority risk ratings in definitions)

(36) It is also beneficial to include floor plans and photographs of asbestos locations and records of any material testing conducted in the Asbestos Register.

(37) The Asbestos Register shall be updated whenever there is a change to the condition of any asbestos or if it is removed, enclosed or sealed. Regardless of any changes, the register must be reviewed and updated at least every five years.

Asbestos Containing Materials Labels

(38) All materials and locations where asbestos containing materials are identified shall be labelled as far as is practicable.

(39) Labels shall be placed according to the Asbestos Labelling Guidelines.

Asbestos Register Access

(40) Asbestos Registers must be readily available to any staff member and the following groups who may be engaged by the University to carry out work in buildings erected prior to 2005:

1. External contractors who may be engaged to carry out drilling or cutting work on floors or walls. This includes Information Technology Services and Audio Visual Technicians.
2. An asbestos licence holder who has been engaged to do asbestos removal work.
3. Those who perform the following asbestos-related activities:
   1. Sample or analyse suspected asbestos;
   2. Enclose or seal asbestos containing materials;
   3. Hand-drill or cut asbestos containing materials;
   4. Conduct research involving asbestos.
4. Persons who perform any other work activity likely to produce asbestos airborne fibres in excess of one half of the asbestos exposure standard;
5. Anyone who takes over management or control of the workplace.

(41) Before they start, any contractors who are engaged to perform work that involves the risk of exposure to asbestos must be given a copy of the asbestos register. The register must include the location of the asbestos.

Planning and Quoting Demolition, Excavation and Refurbishment work

(42) The VU Facilities Project Manager must ensure that a copy of the Asbestos Risk Assessment is provided to Contractors/Asbestos Consultants who are planning or quoting for any works involving the disturbance of asbestos containing materials in buildings erected prior to 2005.

(43) A Division 6 Asbestos Risk Assessment must be organised by the VU Facilities Project Manager and the Contractor before undertaking any demolition or refurbishment work in buildings erected or refurbished prior to 2005. This applies to any work involving the potential disturbance of walls, floors ceilings, etc. and including scraping, screwing, cutting or painting which includes sanding.

(44) Architects, Contractors or staff must consult with the VU Facilities Project Manager and the Asbestos Coordinator during the planning stage so that if asbestos is present, the ACM is removed or alternative methods are used to avoid disturbing the sealed asbestos.

Works Where Asbestos Containing Materials are Identified and/or may be Disturbed

(45) Activities where there is potential ACM disturbance, including entry into crawl spaces under buildings or rooms which have been sealed off, require the person organizing the work and/or the VU Facilities Project Manager to ensure correct training and PPE are used and the procedure is compliant with the Asbestos Management Procedure - Removal and Renovation.

Accidental Damage to Asbestos-containing Materials during Works or Usual University Operations

(46) If accidental damage occurs to any asbestos-containing material during the course of a works project or during the usual course of University operations:

1. The contractor must stop work immediately, students and staff shall immediately vacate the immediate area.
2. The contractor or the student supervisor will advise the VU Facilities Project Manager/Contractor/Maintenance Provider who will contact:
   1. The Asbestos Coordinator, and the Occupational Health and Safety team and take appropriate steps to prevent access to the affected or ensure that the area is made safe. For example: Where a small dent or hole is made (less than hand size), covering and sealing a broken edge and ensuring appropriate ventilation before allowing re-entry to the area.

(47) For larger damage or disturbance, the Asbestos Coordinator will make arrangements according to the Asbestos Management Procedure - Removal and Renovation.

(48) In the case of a large area (greater than hand size) of ACM disturbance Contractors, Staff and students will not reoccupy the room or location until they have been advised it is safe to do so after a clearance has been issued by an Asbestos Consultant - Removal in writing.

Training

(49) Asbestos Awareness Training – Including an initial session at employment shall be completed by the following groups with at least 2 yearly Asbestos Refresher Training which may be completed on-line:

1. VUIT building lecturers - (who at times carry out their own renovations)
2. Contracted maintenance providers - Primary contractor and any other contractors working on buildings where holes may be drilled, cement sheeting cut, fire doors require maintenance or work with old water pipework is involved. E.g. Plumbers, Electrical and Air Conditioning Contractors.
3. Facilities Team – both operations and capital planning
4. Asbestos Coordinator and Asbestos Coordinator deputy
5. VU ITS Staff and Contractors involved in the installation of computer cables and audio visual equipment
6. OH&S Team members
7. Technical staff - group supporting laboratories

(50) Training records shall be retained in the Victoria University training management system.

Record Keeping

(51) The Asbestos Coordinator must ensure that all current documents regarding asbestos matters are maintained in a centralised file and archived documents are retained in the Victoria University Document Records System in accordance with legislated records retention times. Records should include:

1. Asbestos Management Procedure - intranet document reviewed and updated by the OH&S Team in conjunction with the Asbestos Coordinator and the Facilities Associate Director, Operations Planning. Retained in the VU Policy Library;
2. Asbestos Register which includes regular audit and risk assessment reports (Division 5 Reports).  Retained by Facilities with access via the Facilities Intranet site and hardcopies of registers may be located at Campus Security desks.;
3. Any Division 6 Asbestos Audits, Hazardous Building Materials Audit. Retained within the Facilities document management system with access provided to Contractors on request or when quoting for refurbishment or demolition work. 

(52) OH&S Incident Management System and People and Culture Workplace shall retain records of:

1. Incidents involving asbestos.  These include any incidents of accidental damage or unforeseen asbestos identification - within the VU incident management system.
2. Medical records of staff members who have been identified as potentially exposed (by proximity to an incident where the concentration of airborne asbestos fibres may have exceeded a concentration of 0.1fibre per millilitre) to asbestos during the course of their work - for the regulated time period.

Limited Asbestos Removal Work

(53) Where limited asbestos removal work is considered and/or planned the VU Asbestos Coordinator must be consulted.

(54) Small amounts of unlicensed asbestos work can be carried out but must comply with strict safety requirements. The material must be non-friable, area less than 10m² and the work of cumulative duration is 1 hour or less in any period of seven days. Small asbestos removal jobs shall be managed by a trained VU Facilities Staff Member.

(55) Prior to commencement of the work, a documented asbestos control plan must be developed in conjunction with an Asbestos Consultant and the Asbestos Coordinator.

(56) All staff involved in the work must have current Asbestos Awareness Training where records are retained.

(57) The proposed work area must be isolated, barricaded and labelled.

(58) Communication and consultation with staff working in the area and relevant Health and Safety Representative/s.

(59) The work must be carried out in such a way to minimise the generation of airborne dust. This may include spraying the surface with water or PVA glue/water mixture prior to the work.

(60) Only hand tools can be used. No mechanically operated tools.

(61) Staff must wear Australian Standard compliant respiratory protection, safety eyewear, and asbestos fibre resistant disposable overalls. (Refer to PPE Section below.)

(62) All disposable overalls and respirator filters shall be disposed of at the barrier of the work area into the double wrapped and labelled plastic bags for asbestos removal.

(63) Clean up shall be using damp rags or vacuuming where the unit has a HEPA filter. No dry broom sweeping or compressed air. All clean up materials double wrapped and disposed of as per asbestos removal.

(64) Any asbestos waste must be double wrapped in labelled plastic bags.

(65) Asbestos Containing materials are classified as prescribed waste and as such must be disposed of according to the Environment Protection (Industrial Waste Resource) Regulations 2009 (Vic).

Testing of Asbestos Containing Materials

(66) All testing of suspected asbestos containing materials shall be conducted by a NATA accredited laboratory which must be independent of the University.

Asbestos in Portable Equipment

(67) The Asbestos Register also contains a short listing of portable equipment identified as possibly asbestos containing. Tests for asbestos content have been conducted, and recorded on the register, where the ACM is not fully contained any items with ACM have been removed.

(68) Additional portable equipment may be identified as potentially asbestos containing. If this is the case, notify the supervisor who will notify the OH&S team. An OH&S Team member with Occupational Hygiene qualifications or an Asbestos Consultant - Audit shall inspect and test these materials as required and report results to the persons requesting testing and the Asbestos Coordinator for inclusion in the Asbestos Register. Where materials are identified as asbestos containing or potentially asbestos containing and not fully sealed they shall be removed according to required asbestos removal procedures or, if fully contained, will be labelled to indicate that they may contain asbestos.

Mandatory PPE during Asbestos Removal

(69) AS/NZS 1719: Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protection - Compliant P2 respirator.

(70) Disposable coveralls of a suitable standard to prevent penetration of asbestos fibres.

(71) Disposable coveralls rated type 5, category 3 (pr EN ISO 13982-1) or equivalent meet this standard and are suitable for use during asbestos removal.

Section 6 - Supporting Documents and Information

(72) Asbestos Labelling Guidelines

(73) Guidance Asbestos Containing Materials

(74) Guidance Asbestos and Excavation