The Government of Western Australia has made changes to the state’s asbestos removal licences.
The changes to Western Australia’s Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 effect the requirements around the licences and registrations governing asbestos removal work, and other high-risk work activities, in the state.
What are the changes?
The changes to the Act and the Regulations make two important changes to WA’s asbestos licences.
First, they replace the Unrestricted licence with a Class A licence, and the Restricted licence with a Class B one.
The new Class A licence allows the removal of friable asbestos, including the dust that is associated with that material. It also allows a worker to remove non-friable asbestos.
To be issued with a Class A licence, a worker must complete both CPCCDE4008 Supervise asbestos removal course and CPCCDE3015 Remove friable asbestos training. They must also have three (3) years’ experience in work related to friable asbestos removal.
Friable asbestos is any asbestos material that takes the form of a powder or can be easy crumbled or reduced to powder by hand when dry.
The Class B licence allows a worker to remove more than 10m² of non-friable asbestos material as well as the dust that is generated as a result of that removal.
Required training for the Class B licence incudes completing CPCCDE4008 Supervise asbestos removal and CPCCDE3014 Remove non-friable asbestos. Workers must also demonstrate 12 months’ experience in work related to removal of non-friable asbestos.
Non-friable asbestos – also known as bonded asbestos – includes such as asbestos concrete sheeting and other substances where asbestos is mixed with a bonding compound that cannot be reduced to dust hand when dry.
What is an asbestos assessor?
An asbestos assessor is a new licence class that will be made mandatory in WA starting 31 March 2023.
An asbestos assessor licence will be required for those undertaking air quality monitoring during the removal Class A (friable) asbestos material at a workplace. It will also be required for those undertaking clearance inspections and issuing clearance certificates for Class A asbestos work.
Where can I learn more?
More information on the changes can be found on the Western Australia Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s website.
