Asbestos Removal SWMS

Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer with a latency period of 20 to 50 years — diseases that are incurable and almost always fatal. Australia banned asbestos in 2003 but it remains present in any building constructed or refurbished before that date. The WHS Regulation 2025 classifies work involving asbestos as high risk construction work, and all removal must be performed by Class A or Class B licensed removalists. This template maps controls to the binding Asbestos Management and Removal Codes of Practice effective 1 July 2026.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 8.5 — Asbestos; Part 4.4 — HRCW

hrcw category

Work involving asbestos

code of practice

How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace + How to Safely Remove Asbestos (both binding 1 July 2026 under Section 26A)

section 26a binding

Yes — effective 1 July 2026. Non-compliance is admissible as evidence of breach.

hrwl required

Class A licence (friable asbestos), Class B licence (non-friable/bonded asbestos >10 m²)

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Inhalation of airborne asbestos fibres during removal	Mesothelioma (fatal, 20-50 year latency)	Likely
Uncontrolled asbestos fibre release from damaged containment	Widespread contamination, multiple worker and public exposure	Possible
Cross-contamination of clean areas via clothing, tools, or equipment	Secondary exposure of unprotected workers and occupants	Possible
Asbestos-containing material disturbance during unexpected encounter	Uncontrolled fibre release, worker inhalation	Possible
Heat stress from working in full containment with RPE	Heat exhaustion, collapse, impaired judgement	Likely

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Engage Class A (friable) or Class B (non-friable >10 m²) licensed asbestos removalist for all removal work

Establish full containment enclosure with negative air pressure and HEPA-filtered exhaust for friable removal

Conduct continuous air monitoring at containment boundary and in adjacent occupied areas during removal

Implement three-stage decontamination unit — dirty room, shower, clean room — for all workers exiting containment

Wet all asbestos-containing material with PVA solution before handling to suppress fibre release

Double-bag and label all asbestos waste per state requirements and transport to licensed waste facility

Obtain independent clearance certificate with air monitoring results before containment is dismantled

Recent Prosecutions

Asbestos removal licence breaches (multiple jurisdictions)$150,000–$500,000 (various cases, penalties uninsurable since 10 June 2020)

Unlicensed operators removed asbestos without containment, air monitoring, or clearance certification. Workers and adjacent building occupants exposed to airborne fibres.

2024 — Safe Work Australia Asbestos Enforcement Action Reports

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Licensed removalist details — Class A or Class B licence number, expiry date, scope

✓Containment design including enclosure method, negative pressure specifications, and HEPA filtration

✓Air monitoring plan — sampling locations, frequency, analytical method, and action levels

✓Decontamination procedure for workers, tools, equipment, and the containment area

✓Waste disposal procedure — double-bagging, labelling, transport, and licensed facility details

Need a compliant Asbestos Removal SWMS?

Our WHS consultants develop asbestos removal SWMS with containment designs and air monitoring plans that satisfy regulator expectations and licensing requirements.