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Asbestos

A licence is required in Western Australia for the removal of materials that contain asbestos.  Only a licence holder or an employee of a licence holder may carry out this type of work.

It has been recognised for many years that asbestos is a hazardous substance. The people who work with asbestos must be trained in the safe way of handling and transporting the material. 

There are two types of licence:

Unrestricted:  which allows people to remove all forms of asbestos (friable and non-friable) and replaces the current asbestos removal licence

Restricted:  Commencing June 2010 and allows people to remove amounts exceeding 10 square metres of bonded (non-friable) asbestos.

Contents 

  1. Frequently asked questions -  Unrestricted asbestos licences; General information

Unrestricted asbestos removal licence

Each licence is endorsed with a number of conditions that relate to the way asbestos removal work is carried out. A licence is valid for a period of three years, and is subject to renewal.

Obtaining an unrestricted asbestos licence

A person can apply to the Director, Business Services, WorkSafe Business Centre, for an unrestricted asbestos removal licence. The application should be sent to WorkSafe, accompanied by a fee which is refunded if the application is refused.

The application should include:

  • asbestos removal work procedures manual; 
  • asbestos removal work training manual; 
  • details of asbestos removal licences issued in other States or Territories; 
  • curriculum vitae of each person employed as a manager or supervisor of asbestos removal work; and 
  • any other relevant information that may support the application.

The submission is assessed according to the following criteria:

  • procedures manual describes all asbestos removal methods covered by the licence and is consistent with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)];
  • procedures manual includes all legal requirements associated with asbestos removal work;
  • training manual covers the training of all workers involved in asbestos removal work and is consistent with the Code of Practice;
  • training is carried out by a competent person;
  • all equipment for asbestos removal is either approved or otherwise consistent with the requirements of the Code of Practice; 
  • satisfactory previous experience in asbestos removal work. At least one person must have adequate experience at supervisory level in asbestos removal work; 
  • satisfactory performance of asbestos removal work in other States and Territories, if applicable.

NOTE: A person who receives an unrestricted asbestos removal licence must notify WorkSafe of workers working in asbestos removal.

WorkSafe must be notified of asbestos removal under an unrestricted asbestos licence.

Restricted asbestos removal licence

Obtaining a restricted licence

A person can apply to the Director, Business Services, WorkSafe Business Centre, for an restricted asbestos removal licence.  WorkSafe will be issuing licences from March 2010 prior to the commencement of the new licensing regime in June 2010.  A licence is valid for a period of three years, and is subject to renewal.

An applicant must first complete a WorkSafe approved Restricted Asbestos Removal Licence training course with a Registered Training Organisation.  At the completion of the course, participants will be issued with a Statement of Completion, which must be forwarded to WorkSafe along with the application form and the application fee, which is refunded if the application is refused.

Each licence is endorsed with a number of conditions which include:

  • all asbestos removal covered by the licence is carried out in accordance with the  Occupational Safety and Health Act and accompanying regulations and the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC: 2002 (2005)]; 
  • if a business or company is seeking a licence, the company must nominate at least one person in control of the work process who has undertaken the approved course.  If this person leaves the company, another person must be trained and the information forwarded to WorkSafe;
  • a copy of the asbestos removal control plan for each asbestos removal job must be kept for a minimum of five (5) years;
  • the holder of  the licence is subject to audit by WorkSafe;

Restricted asbestos licence course providers

Notification of asbestos removal

To fulfil the notification condition of the unrestricted asbestos removal licence, the following information must be supplied to WorkSafe:

  • Name and contact details of licensed contractor.
  • Name and address of premises where it is proposed to remove or treat asbestos.  
  • Type of premises (ie:  factory, shop, office, bank, hospital, etc).  
  • Whether or not the premises are occupied.  
  • Type of asbestos and in what form (ie:  sprayed, rope, insulation-lagging).  
  • Date of anticipated commencement of the removal or treatment of asbestos.

See Notification of asbestos removal form

Application forms

Unrestricted licence

Restricted licence

Relevant documents

Related information