In the ACT, someone with an asbestos assessor licence is able to identify and assess the presence of asbestos and, if they have an A class licence, provide recommendations on the safe management of the identified asbestos. Asbestos assessors have several professional responsibilities under the:
These responsibilities include: indentifying the presence of any asbestos products; assessment of the potential risks; and providing recommendations for the safe management of the identified asbestos. Asbestos assessors need to perform all tasks in accordance with their licence type and in a professional manner.
If you have general maintenance work you need done on your house, you can contact your local tradesperson in the relevant area. However, if your house contains asbestos (or is likely to contain asbestos) and the work you require to be done is in an area where asbestos is located (or is likely to be located), the tradesperson you engage must work in one of the occupations* stated below AND must have successfully completed any one of the courses stated below. In addition, the tradesperson is limited to handling** small amounts (less than 10 square metres) of bonded asbestos only.
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
Fibrous Plasterer
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
Floor Finisher
Architect
Gasfitter
Backhoe Operator
Geotechnical Engineer
Bricklayer and Stonemasons
Glazier
Builder’s Labourer
Handyperson
Building Associate
Home Improvement Installer
Building Inspector
Interior Decorator
Building Insulation Installer
Joiner
Bulldozer Operator
Lagger
Cabler (Data and Telecommunication)
Landscape Architect
Carpenter
Lift Mechanic
Carpenter and Joiner
Loader Operator
Civil Engineer
Locksmith
Civil Engineering Technician
Mechanical Engineering Technician
Commercial Cleaner
Painting Trades Worker
Concreter
Plumber (General)
Construction Project Manager
Plumber’s Assistant
Construction Rigger
Plumbing Inspector
Drainage, Sewerage and Stormwater Labourer
Project Builder
Drainer
Roof Plumber
Earthmoving Labourer
Roof Tiler
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
Safety Inspector
Electrical Engineer
Scaffolder
Electrical Engineering Technician
Sign Erector
Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant
Solid Plasterer
Electrician (General)
Steel Fixer
Electrician (Special Class)
Stonemason
Electronics Engineer
Structural Engineer
Engineering Manager
Structural Steel Erector
Excavator Operator
Wall and Floor Tiler
Fencer
Welder (First Class)
*So far as the occupation relates to providing adjustment, addition, alteration, construction, demolition, enhancement, maintenance, removal, renovation, repair, or upgrading services in respect of any part of a building's structure, fabric, integral fixtures, mechanical services, fire services, access services, egress services, electrical services or piped services.
**Examples include removing asbestos and drilling a hole in asbestos cement sheeting, etc.
Removing, breaking, cleaning, cutting, drilling, filing, grinding, sanding or smashing materials that contain asbestos can release very fine and potentially dangerous asbestos fibres into the air where they can be easily inhaled. While people in the building, trades, maintenance and service sectors may work with and remove small amounts (up to 10 square metres) of bonded asbestos as part of their daily work activities if they have, through an approved course, received appropriate training for working with asbestos, these people are not licensed asbestos removalists and should not engage in removing asbestos as an occupation or be engaged as asbestos removalists. (That is, people working in the building, trades, maintenance and service sectors should only handle asbestos if they happen to be working on an area that contains asbestos and have had appropriate training to work with it.)
In the ACT, you must have a current A class asbestos removal license or a current B class asbestos removal license to remove more than 10 square metres of bonded asbestos. Friable asbestos can only be removed by someone who has an A class asbestos removal license. If you are not trained or appropriately licensed to carry out asbestos work, engage someone who is. It is important that any asbestos removal work is carried out in accordance with the asbestos removal code.
Remember: It is illegal to reuse materials containing asbestos. A national ban on the re-use of asbestos products came into effect on 31 December 2003.
Click here for information on how to safely work with asbestos.
Click here for information on how to safely remove asbestos.
Click here for information on how to safely dispose of asbestos.