LICENSED ASBESTOS ASSESSOR LAA

A Licensed Asbestos Assessor (LAA) plays a crucial role in independently validating the effectiveness of asbestos removal, ensuring that asbestos abatement activities comply with regulations and protect public health. The responsibilities of a licensed asbestos assessor include:

1. 1. Air Monitoring: Conduct air monitoring before, during, and after Class A asbestos removal work to assess the effectiveness of controls. This includes prior to dismantling an enclosure and for the purposes of the clearance inspection. For Class B asbestos removal work a competent person evaluates whether air monitoring is required based on a risk assessment, 
   2. Clearance Inspections: After asbestos removal, our assessor performs a clearance inspection to ensure the asbestos removal area and the area immediately surrounding it are free from visible asbestos contamination. Where air monitoring was performed, respirable asbestos fibre levels must be below 0.01 fibres/mL before issuing clearance certificates that confirm the safety of the environment for re-occupation​.
   3. Issuing Clearance Certificates: A licensed asbestos assessor (LAA) must issue a clearance certificate in writing once they are satisfied that the asbestos removal area and its surroundings are free from visible contamination. This involves both the visual inspection and, where undertaken, air monitoring results showing asbestos fibres levels below 0.01 fibres/mL. Protective barricades should remain in place, and access restricted until the final clearance certificate is issued. 
   4. Identifying Asbestos and Risk Assessments: Licensed asbestos assessors are also responsible for identifying asbestos-containing materials, undertaking risk assessments, compiling asbestos registers, and completing pre-demolition/refurbishment surveys. This requires a deep understanding of asbestos types, the in-situ risks associated with them​ and the potential risks in facilitating its removal. 
   5. Compliance and Safety: Our licensed asbestos assessors (LAA) ensure compliance with the relevant health and safety regulations for asbestos removal projects. This includes overseeing the setup and maintenance of removal enclosures, negative pressure units, and decontamination units used to prevent the escape of airborne asbestos fibres​.
   6. Training, Certification and Competence: Licensed asbestos assessors must have appropriate training and certification as well as relevant asbestos removal industry experience to perform their duties. Their competence is usually defined by their training, qualifications, and experience in handling asbestos safely​. They are often required to complete specific units of competency related to asbestos identification, risk assessment, and clearance inspections​. 
   7. Independence: Licensed asbestos assessors must remain independent and are required to be engaged directly by the ‘client’ not the ‘removalist’ and can in no way be involved in the removal of asbestos to which they are engaged to inspect and monitor, nor can they have any commercial interest in the engaged asbestos removal contractor. 

Overall, licensed asbestos assessors are essential for maintaining safety and regulatory compliance during asbestos removal projects, protecting workers and the public from the dangers of asbestos exposure.