Your legal duties
New regulations for Occupational Health and Safety came into effect on 1 July 2007.
The OHS Regulations contain specific requirements for employers and people who manage or control a workplace to eliminate exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.
The regulations also outline safe methods for removing asbestos from the workplace, who is able to remove it (i.e. licensed asbestos removalists), and in what circumstances.
These obligations are addressed in Chapter 3 of the regulations.
Visit the employers, employees and licensed removalists sections of this guide for details of duties relating to asbestos.
The regulations reduce the administrative burden on business while generally maintaining the provisions of the old asbestos regulations.
Removal of asbestos that is not fixed or installed
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 cover the specific removal requirements (including licensing) relating to the removal of asbestos that is fixed or installed in a building, structure, ship or plant.
In addition to this, a Dangerous Goods Order was issued on 28 June 2007 prohibiting the removal of asbestos that is not fixed to or installed in a building, structure, ship or plant at any workplace, except under certain circumstances (this includes asbestos-contaminated dust).
