Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00423:body:0:p41
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00423
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 106238–109118

when carrying out asbestos work or asbestos-related work. Wherever possible, dry asbestos should not be worked on. Techniques that prevent or minimise the generation of airborne asbestos fibres include:
    * the wetting of asbestos using surfactants or wetting agents, such as detergent water
    * the use of thickened substances, pastes and gels, including hair gel and shaving cream, to cover the surfaces of asbestos being worked on (these substances should be compatible with the conditions of use, including the temperature, and should not pose a risk to health)
    * the use of shadow vacuuming
    * performing the task in a controlled environment (for instance, a ventilated enclosure).
When selecting the best technique, the work should first be assessed for any electrical hazards that might result from the use of water or other liquids. If an electrical hazard exists, primary consideration should be given to removing the asbestos, rather than relying on dry work methods.
If asbestos-related work or maintenance or service tasks are assessed by a competent person as involving similar levels of risk, they too may be performed only after the risks for that task have been assessed and appropriate control measures implemented.

The use of high-speed abrasive power and pneumatic tools, including angle grinders, sanders and saws, and high-speed drills, is prohibited under the WHS Regulations, except where used with dust suppression/extraction controls. These controls include local exhaust ventilation (LEV) dust control hoods that attach to the tool and isolate the area being worked on (drilled, sanded etc.) from the environment, ensuring that the dust is captured.
Appendix F outlines examples of safe work practices of service and maintenance tasks that are likely to disturb asbestos and control measures that have been implemented to eliminate or minimise exposure to airborne asbestos.

7.6         Personal protective equipment
PPE will need to be used, in combination with other effective control measures, when working with asbestos. The selection and use of PPE should be based on a risk assessment.
If work with asbestos requires the use of other chemicals that are themselves hazardous chemicals, a further risk assessment must be performed. Safety data sheets (SDS) must be referred to for information on appropriate PPE to use and any other precautions to take when using the chemicals (the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical must supply an SDS on request).
The ease of decontamination should be one of the factors considered when choosing PPE.
For PPE that is not clothing and cannot be disposed of, it must be decontaminated and kept in
a sealed container until it is reused for the purposes of asbestos-related work.
Further information on decontamination and asbestos waste disposal is available in the Code
of Practice: How to