Section 3.1: Controlling HSW Risks

PRO3.1-13Asbestos management

1. Objective

The objective of this process is to provide a system to minimise the risk to health and safety due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace.

Note: The purpose of this process is to reflect key requirements outlined within The University of Adelaide HSW Policy and Handbook whilst addressing specific operational and site specific hazards within Infrastructure, Property & Technology (IPT) Branch.

2. Scope

The scope of this process is limited to activities undertaken or areas managed by the IPT Branch.

3. Process

This process applies to all employees (including Casual Employees), volunteers and agency staffmanagedby the IPTBranch and Managed Services staff.

Note: All parties are required to consult the Asbestos Registercontaining entries of all known hazardous materials.Due care must be taken when entering ceiling spaces or working on building fabric, plant and equipment to avoid exposure should unknown asbestos be encountered.

Process Steps / Responsible Person / Frequency / Relevant Documents
3.1 Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)
3.1.1 / Any ACM that has been identified within the University shall be recorded in the Asbestos Register pertaining to the building in which it is located. / Campus Services Business Unit Manager / Ongoing / Asbestos Register
HSW Handbook Chapter 3.23 Asbestos Management
3.1.2 / Campus Services shall be notified of any disturbed, suspected ACM found via the relevant Maintenance Service Centre (MSC) and steps in 3.1.2.1 or 3.1.2.2 shall be followed, using the University Incident/Property Damage/Hazard Report Form. / Managed Services
Employee / Immediately on Discovery / Incident/Property Damage/Hazard Report Form
3.3-01FR02b Incident Report Flowchart
Document Title: / PRO3 1-13 Asbestos Management.docx / Version No. / 1.0 / Effective Date: / 26 November 2010
Filepath: / S:\Services_Resources\Infrastructure\Shared\HSW\IPT HSW Management System\Section 3.1 - Controlling HSW Risks\3.1-13 Asbestos Management\PRO3 1-13 Asbestos Management.docx / Next Review Date: / November 2012
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3.1.3 / Operational Hours
During Maintenance Service Centre (MSC) business hours the employee or managed service provider will:
  • Cease works immediately and make the area safe;
  • Contact the relevant Project/Contract Manager, Employee Supervisor
  • Advise relevant MSC;
  • Provide relevant information to identify the precise location and extent of the asbestos contamination; and
  • Await further directions, and if permitted to continue work, obtain an Asbestos Permit to Work.
/ Managed Services
Employee
Manager/Team Leader
Campus Services Business Unit Manager / Immediately on Discovery / Incident/Property Damage/Hazard Report Form
3.1-07F02 Asbestos PTW Instruction
3.1-7F03Asbestos PTW Form
3.1.4 / After Hours
Outside MSC business hours the employee or managed service provider will:
  • Cease works immediately and make the area safe;
  • Contact Campus Security and await further instructions. Security will obtain direction from the MSC Manager or, in the event of an emergency, the University Asbestos Management Service Provider directly;
  • If permitted to continue work, obtain an Asbestos Permit to Work; and
  • Within 24 hours of locating the Asbestos, provide any required information to the Campus Maintenance Service Centre.
/ Managed Services
Employee
Manager/Team Leader
Security Manager / Immediately on Discovery / Incident/Property Damage/Hazard Report Form
3.1-07F02 Asbestos PTW Instruction
3.1-7F03Asbestos PTW Form
3.1.5 / Campus Services shall coordinate annual review of Asbestos Registers for all University owned buildings. / Campus Services Business Unit Manager / Annually / Building Asbestos Register
3.1.6 / Campus Services shall request, from the owner of leased buildings copies of Asbestos Registers and, where made available, provide these to the University Property Manager for that building. / Campus Services Business Unit Manager / Annually / Building Asbestos Register
3.1.7 / Signage shall be placed in relevant areas to indicate the presence of ACM. / Campus Services Business Unit Manager
University Building Manager / As required / AS1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment
3.1.8 / Identify IPT staff at significant risk of exposure to Asbestos and assess whether health surveillance is required. / Business Unit Manager / Annually / Chemical Safety – Atmospheric Monitoring & Health Surveillance Information Sheet
3.1.9 / Provide training and information to employees and agency staff undertaking any activity where there is a potential exposure to disturbed asbestos. / Business Unit Manager / As required / PRO2-04 Training
3.2 Operation Process
3.2.1 / All staff and Managed Services are required to familiarise themselves with the Asbestos Register before commencing work. / Managed Services
Employee
Campus Services Business Unit Manager / Before work commences / Asbestos Register
3.2.2 / If it is necessary for work to be undertaken in an area which contains asbestos, Business Unit Managers and Managed Services are required to ensure that their employees are trained or provided awareness information/briefing in asbestos risks and controls. / Managed Services
Business Unit Manager / Ongoing / 3.1-07F02 Asbestos PTW Instruction
3.1-7F03Asbestos PTW Form
HSW Handbook Chapter 3.23 Asbestos Management
Asbestos Awareness training
3.2.3 / Business Unit Managers and Managed Services are responsible for supplying their employees with relevant personal protective equipment and work procedures. / Managed Services
Business Unit Manager / Ongoing / 3.1-7F03Asbestos PTW Form
3.2.4 / IPT staff and Managed Services employees shall use any control requirements specified by legislation and the University Asbestos Management Service. / Managed Services
Business Unit Manager / Ongoing / Job Safety Analysis
Risk Assessment
3.2.5 / Staff and Managed Services are required to obtain an IPT Asbestos Permit-to-Work, through:
  • The IPT Project/Contract Manager;
  • The Maintenance Service Centre; or,
  • In the case of an afterhours emergency, from Securitybefore seeking access to any Asbestos hazard area or prior to commencing work.
/ Managed Services
Business Unit Manager / Before work commences / 3.1-7F03Asbestos PTW Form
3.2.6 / Staff and Managed Services must defer, suspend or terminate works until advice, direction, confirmation or permission is received from the University Asbestos Management Service. / Managed Services
Employee Manager/Team Leader / Immediately / Job Safety Analysis
Risk Assessment
Written Instruction
3.2.7 / Asbestos exposures must be reported immediately to the employee Manager/Team Leader and Project/Contract Manager or Maintenance Service Centre. / Managed Services
Employee
Manager/Team Leader / Immediately following exposure / Incident/Property Damage/Hazard Report Form
3.2.8 / On completion of removal or disturbance of potential ACM, a clearance inspection shall be undertaken by a competent person. / Managed Services
EmployeeManager/Team Leader / Immediately following completion of work / Code of Practice for the Safe Removal Of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002(2005)]
3.2.9 / Atmospheric testing is to be conducted before commencing and during (where required)ACM, or potential ACM, work where required by Legislation/Codes of Practice and is to be conducted at relevant intervals as deemed appropriate. / Managed Services
Business Unit Manager / Before and during asbestos work / Code of Practice for the Safe Removal Of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002(2005)]
3.2.10 / Atmospheric monitoring must be performed by a competent person.
  • If the results of monitoring exceed standards, work must cease immediately and the area evacuated until direction from Project / Contract Manager or Employee Manager/Team Leader is received.
/ Managed Services
Business Unit Manager
Employee Manager/Team Leader / During asbestos work / Code of Practice for the Safe Removal Of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002(2005)]
HSW Handbook Chapter 3.23 Asbestos Management
3.2.11 / Managed Service providers shall comply with the requirements of HSW Handbook 3.23.5.1 / Managed Services / Ongoing / HSW Handbook Chapter 3.23 Asbestos Management
3.3 Documentation
3.3.1 / Asbestos Registers will be made available via the Maintenance Service Centre of the relevant Campus. / Campus Services Business Unit Manager / Ongoing / Asbestos Register
3.3.2 / Asbestos Registers will be updated annually. / Campus Services Business Unit Manager / Annually / Asbestos Register
3.3.3 / Where changes to ACM occurs which requires an update to the register, only hardcopy documentation will be available, this is located in the Maintenance Services Centre. / Campus Services Business Unit Manager / As required / Asbestos Register and Update
3.3.4 / Maintain any documentation produced e.g. Permits-to-Work, Monitoring Records, in accordance with HSW Handbook 3.23.8 requirements. / Business Unit Manager / Ongoing / HSW Handbook Chapter 3.23 Asbestos Management

4. Responsibilities and Process Compliance

Accountable Person / Action / Auditable Records
Director, Infrastructure, Property & Technology / Confirm process and systems of work are implementedin relation toactivities associated with Asbestos. / PRO3.1-13 Asbestos Management
Asbestos Register
Business Unit Manager / Check adequate resources are provided for Asbestos work;
Confirm staff who may come into contact with Asbestos are provided with Asbestos Awareness Training; and
Verify records are maintained as per HSW Handbook Chapter 3.23 Asbestos Management. / Training Matrix
Permit to Work
HSW Handbook Chapter 3.23 Asbestos Management
Manager, Campus Services / Confirm Asbestos Registers are updated and maintained as per legislative requirements
Manage the removal of asbestos. / Asbestos Register
Managed Services / Comply with legislative and University requirements when undertaking work on ACM or potential ACM;
Report any ACM exposureto the Project/Contract Manager; and
Follow any direction in relation to ACM provided by the University or their authorized representative; and
Implement any controls determined through the risk assessment process. / Job Safety Analysis
Risk Assessment
Incident/Property Damage/Hazard Report Form

5. Definitions

Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) / Means any material, object, product or debris that contains asbestos.
Clearance Inspection / Means an inspection, carried out by a competent person, to verify that an Asbestos work area is safe to be returned to normal use after work involving the disturbance of ACM has taken place. A clearance inspection must include a visual inspection, and may also include clearance monitoring and/or settled dust sampling.
Note: A clearance inspection should only be carried out when the Asbestos work area is dry.
Competent Person / Means a person possessing adequate qualifications, such as suitable training and sufficient knowledge, experience and skill, for the safe performance of the specific work.
Disturbed / The suspected ACM has been broken or penetrated in such a way that asbestos fibres may have been liberated.
Managed Services / An organisation (or individual) engaged by the University of Adelaide by way of a contract to provide a service in accordance with the contract terms and defined scope of contract schedule(s). These service providers who, whilst working within the University HSW requirements, have in place their own OHS system.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) / Means equipment and clothing that is used or worn by an individual person to protect them against, or minimise their exposure to, workplace risks. It includes items such as facemasks and respirators, coveralls, goggles, helmets, gloves and footwear.

6. References

  • Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986
  • Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations2010
  • NOHSC:2002(2205) – Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos
  • NOHSC:2018(2005) – Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in the Workplace
  • NOHSC:1003(1995) – National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment
  • NOHSC:3003(2005) - Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Fibres
  • AS1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment
  • HSW Handbook Chapter 3.23 Asbestos Management
  • Working with Asbestos Permit to Work and Instruction
  • 3.1-13F01 Maintenance/Minor Works - Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) Flowchart
  • 3.1-13F02 Discovery of Suspected Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) Flowchart

Document Title: / PRO3 1-13 Asbestos Management.docx / Version No. / 1.0 / Effective Date: / 26 November 2010
Filepath: / S:\Services_Resources\Infrastructure\Shared\HSW\IPT HSW Management System\Section 3.1 - Controlling HSW Risks\3.1-13 Asbestos Management\PRO3 1-13 Asbestos Management.docx / Next Review Date: / November 2012
Page 1 of 6
THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED