Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00418:body:0:p28
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00418
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 72081–75001

cleaners can only be used for collecting small pieces of asbestos dust and debris. Larger pieces should be picked up and placed in suitable waste containers and should never be broken into smaller sizes for vacuuming.
The asbestos removalist should ensure that procedures are established for the general maintenance, including emptying, of asbestos vacuum cleaners in a controlled environment.
They should be cleaned externally with a wet cloth after each task, the hose and attachments should be stored in a labelled impervious bag, and a cap should be placed over the opening to the asbestos vacuum cleaner when the attachments are removed.
PPE should be worn whenever an asbestos vacuum cleaner is opened to change the bag or filter or to perform other maintenance.
The emptying of asbestos vacuum cleaners can be hazardous if the correct procedures are not followed. Asbestos vacuum cleaners should only be emptied by a competent person with the correct PPE, in a controlled environment and in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Whenever possible, asbestos vacuum cleaners should not be hired, as they can be difficult to fully decontaminate.
Hiring may be more viable in some instances if they are completely decontaminated, such as when a one-off maintenance task is required for asbestos. Asbestos vacuum cleaners should be hired only from organisations that provide vacuum cleaners specifically for work involving asbestos and the asbestos vacuum cleaner has been previously decontaminated. If hired, the asbestos vacuum cleaner should be decontaminated before it is returned.
Alternatively, the hire organisation may undertake the decontamination and maintenance of the filters and bags of the asbestos vacuum cleaner itself. In these cases, the asbestos vacuum cleaner should be hired out in a sealed storage container, with instructions that it may be removed from the container only when it is inside the asbestos removal work area and users are wearing appropriate PPE. When the minor maintenance work is completed the asbestos vacuum cleaner should be resealed in the storage container provided, and the sealed storage container should then be decontaminated by wet wiping before it is removed from the asbestos removal work area and returned to the hire organisation for decontamination and maintenance.
Organisations that hire out asbestos vacuum cleaners should ensure all their asbestos vacuum cleaners are decontaminated, maintained in good working order and the hirers are competent in their safe use. It is suggested that asbestos vacuum cleaners are only hired out to asbestos removal supervisors or licence holders.
At the completion of the asbestos removal work, the tools and equipment must be decontaminated, placed in sealed, labelled containers and if necessary, disposed of as asbestos waste. The asbestos vacuum cleaner and attachments must also be decontaminated. The bag and