Asbestos removal work must be notified to WorkSafe ACT
9 August 2024
Recently, WorkSafe ACT has been made aware of licensed asbestos removalists ignoring removal notice requirements.
Under section 466(1) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011(WHS Regulation), a licensed asbestos removalist must give written notice to the regulator at least 5 days before the removalist commences licensed asbestos removal work.
Businesses and individual who ignore this requirement are not only unfairly undermining legitimate asbestos removalist but may also have other compliance or safety issues.
WHEN ENGAGING AN ASBESTOS REMOVALISTS
- Check that the asbestos removalist holds a current licence on the Public Register.
- Ask the asbestos removalist for a copy of the Notice of Asbestos Removal Work.
- Be wary of asbestos removalist who offer to undertake asbestos removal work less than 5 days after an accepted quote.
- If you have any concerns about the asbestos removal work, contact WorkSafe ACT to discuss further.
HOW TO NOTIFY OF ASBESTOS REMOVAL WORK
To notify WorkSafe ACT of asbestos removal, asbestos removalists must complete a Notice of Asbestos Removal Work. If the asbestos must be removed immediately, the licensed asbestos removalist must give notice to WorkSafe ACT—
(a) immediately by telephone; and
(b) in writing, within 24 hours after notifying by telephone.
Failure to provide 5 days’ notice is a serious offence, with maximum penalties of $3,600 for an individual and $18,000 for a body corporate. Inspectors are issuing on-the-spot infringements when they identify that asbestos removal work is occurring, or has occurred, without giving the required notice.
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