Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:4:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 1/11)
Character Range: 118543–121575

4                   Asbestos materials in soil

4.1              Scope of the guidance
This guidance applies to the assessment of known and suspected asbestos contamination in soil and addresses both friable and non-friable forms of asbestos. Most assessments will involve non-friable bonded forms of asbestos-containing-material (bonded ACM) as this is the most common type of asbestos soil contamination in Australia.

This guidance is not applicable to asbestos materials which are:
    * wastes such as demolition materials present on the surface of the land or
    * asbestos materials in buildings or structures including operational pipelines.
Transport and disposal of asbestos-contaminated soil should be carried out in accordance with state and territory legislation and guidelines. Soils that are known or suspected to be contaminated with asbestos should not be reused or recycled at other sites.

This guidance deals with assessment but is closely linked to remediation, management and protection of human health.

An overview of the assessment of asbestos contamination is presented here. More detailed information on site characterisation can be found in Schedule B2 Section 11 and WA DoH (2009, 2012).
Case studies illustrating the recommended approach for site assessment are included in Section 5.

4.2              Historical use of asbestos in Australia
Bonded asbestos products were first manufactured in Australia in the 1920s and were a common component of residential and commercial building materials from the mid-1940s until the late 1980s.  Up to 90% of the asbestos mined or imported into Australia was used for the manufacture of these building products. Australia banned the use and import of building asbestos products in the mid-1980s and, in December 2003, banned import, manufacture and use of all asbestos products (e.g. automobile products).

Asbestos has been used in Australia as a reinforcing agent in cement sheeting for walls and roofs and in cement building products, such as pipes, gutters and flooring. Asbestos was also used in combination with other bonding compounds such as vinyl (e.g. for vinyl floor tiles and sheeting) and resin.  Friable (non-bonded) asbestos products include low-density asbestos fibre board, insulating products such as lagging, sprays and asbestos rope gaskets.

Many older homes in all Australian communities still contain asbestos cement products, commonly in eaves or cladding of internal and external walls and roofs. When in good condition, bonded asbestos products do not release asbestos fibres into the air and are considered safe for people who are in contact with them, including when carrying and handling these materials (enHealth 2012). If asbestos materials can be maintained in good condition, enHealth (2005, 2012) recommends that these materials are best left alone and periodically checked to monitor their condition.

4.3              Work Health and Safety
Site assessors should be aware of (and where relevant comply with) the requirements