ASBESTOS CLEARANCE INSPECTIONS

Workplace Health & Safety Regulations require an Asbestos Clearance Certificate when asbestos is removed.  If more than 10m² of asbestos containing material is removed then a clearance inspection is most likely required. Depending on the scope of removal work and whether the ACM is friable or non-friable, a clearance inspection must be undertaken by an ‘A’ class licensed asbestos assessor or competent person independent from the person (and/or business) who was responsible for the removal work.

Under the Code of Practice, a clearance inspection must include a visual clearance to verify the adequacy of the removal work. In support of a visual assessment, airborne fibre clearance monitoring is usually conducted to ensure the airborne fibre content within the work area is below exposure standards. Furthermore, surface and dust sampling are often used to verify the efficacy of ACM removal work.

Following the inspection, a clearance certificate will be issued verifying that the asbestos work area is now safe to reoccupy.

Appropriate signage and protective barriers restricting access to the asbestos work area must remain in place and no unauthorised entry is permitted until the clearance inspection is complete and a clearance certificate is issued.