Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00423:body:0:p17
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00423
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 44305–47072

where asbestos is present.
Where direct marking of asbestos is not possible, identifying the presence and location of asbestos to workers such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters before they commence work may be achieved by implementing a permit-to-work system. The presence and location of the asbestos should be entered on site plans and the asbestos register and be accessible to all workers to ensure they are aware of the presence of asbestos.

2.6         Assessing the risk of exposure
This section does not apply to NOA.
If asbestos or ACM is in good condition and left undisturbed, it is unlikely that airborne asbestos will be released into the air and the risk to health is extremely low. It is usually safer to leave it and review its condition over time. However, if the asbestos or ACM has deteriorated, has been disturbed, or if asbestos-contaminated dust is present, the likelihood that airborne asbestos will be released into the air is increased.
The type of material that binds asbestos fibres will influence the potential for airborne asbestos to be released into the air from different asbestos or ACM. For example, a loosely bound sprayed (or limpet) coating is more likely to release fibres when disturbed than asbestos cement in which fibres are firmly bound.
The following list ranks different types of asbestos according to the likelihood that airborne asbestos can be released into the air if it has deteriorated or been disturbed. The potential risk to health is greater for items higher up the list if people are exposed to airborne asbestos, but any of the materials listed can produce asbestos fibres if they are disturbed.
When deciding if there is a risk to health from asbestos, consider whether the asbestos or ACM is:
    * in poor condition
    * likely to be further damaged or to deteriorate
    * likely to be disturbed due to work practices carried out in the workplace (for example,  routine and maintenance activities and their frequency)
    * in an area where workers are exposed to the material.
A visual inspection of the material, its location and an understanding of the work practices at the workplace will assist this decision.
Asbestos-related work activities (including maintenance) plus unusual and infrequent activities (such as emergency activities) need to be considered. Also take into account the proximity of the asbestos or ACM to where employees work, as this can affect the potential for exposure if asbestos fibres become airborne.
The following are examples of activities that could pose a risk to health:
    * Forklifts driving adjacent to asbestos cement (AC) sheet walls may damage these sheets from accidental impacts during the course of work.
    * Plumbers working on a long pipe that does