Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00423:body:0:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00423
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 7963–10851

in relation to asbestos or ACM
    * display, or preparation or maintenance for display, of an artefact or thing that is, or includes, asbestos or ACM
    * management in accordance with the WHS Regulations of in‑situ asbestos that was installed or fixed before 31 December 2003
    * work that disturbs asbestos during mining operations that involve the extraction of or exploration for a mineral other than asbestos
    * laundering asbestos-contaminated clothing in accordance with the WHS Regulations
    * where the regulator approves the method adopted for managing risk associated with asbestos.
Work involving asbestos-contaminated soil is not prohibited as long as a competent person has determined the soil does not contain any visible ACM or friable asbestos. If friable asbestos is visible, it should not contain more than trace levels of asbestos determined in accordance with AS4964:2004 Method for the qualitative identification of asbestos in bulk samples.
The management of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) that stays in its natural state is not prohibited if managed in accordance with an asbestos management plan.
Although the ultimate goal of this prohibition is for all workplaces to be free of asbestos, it is only when these materials are being replaced or where they present a health risk that non-asbestos alternatives must be used. Caution needs to be taken when working with buildings constructed prior to 1990 or newer buildings that may have used recycled materials and may have reinstated old plant containing ACM gaskets and/or linings.
If asbestos or ACM is identified in a workplace and demolition or refurbishment work is going to be carried out, the asbestos or ACM must be removed if it is likely to be disturbed before the work starts. If other maintenance or service work is to be carried out at the workplace, removal of asbestos should be considered as a control measure.
Where removal is not reasonably practicable, other control measures must be implemented to minimise exposure, including encapsulation or sealing.
In addition to the prohibition, there is also a restriction on who can remove asbestos. Asbestos removalists and their workers must be competent to carry out asbestos removal work and, except in limited circumstances, must be licensed. Further details on who can remove asbestos can be found in the WHS Regulations and the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.

Prohibitions on the import of plant and other materials that contain asbestos
The importation of asbestos or materials containing asbestos into Australia is generally prohibited under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (Customs PI Regulations).
To complement the ban on the importation, manufacture and use of all forms of asbestos and asbestos-containing products from 31 December 2003, the import prohibition on asbestos under the Customs