Regulation:
The management of asbestos contaminated soil has typically been driven by two main regulatory areas. These are:
Environmental Regulations – responsibility of the respective EPAs.
OH&S Regulations – responsibility of the respective WorkSafe departments.
Both of these State and Territory based government agencies play a key role in how asbestos contaminated soil is managed, and both need to be recognised and understood when undertaking works involving asbestos contaminated soil.
In addition to the Regulations, there are three key documents that practitioners refer to when dealing with asbestos contaminated soil. These are:
WA Department of Health. Guidelines for the Assessment, Remediation and Management of Asbestos-Contaminated Sites in Western Australia (May 2009).
National Environment Protection Council. National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (2013).
Safe Work Australia. How to safely remove asbestos Code of Practice, (2011).
The Safe Work Australia Code of Practice has been adopted by the harmonised States and Territories, with exception of Victoria leading to slightly different practices when works are occurring on sites with asbestos contaminated soil.
