Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00418:body:0:p38
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00418
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 98533–101521

asbestos dust need to be removed from their protective clothing using an asbestos vacuum cleaner. The isolated changing area is then used to discard outer garments, including coveralls and overshoes, before workers can put on fresh outer/protective clothing for the journey to the decontamination unit. RPE should be worn until the appropriate phase of the decontamination procedure within the remote decontamination unit.
The route of access from the asbestos removal area to the decontamination unit should be suitably signposted and barricaded to restrict public access.
Air monitoring must be conducted in the immediate vicinity of this access route and at other suitable locations outside the asbestos removal area.

Figure 2 Decontamination area

4.7 Laundering clothing
Disposable coveralls should be used as protective clothing unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so. When non-disposable protective clothing is used, the contaminated clothing must be laundered in a suitable laundering facility that is equipped to launder asbestos-contaminated clothing. Contaminated protective clothing must not be laundered in homes. Any clothing worn under coveralls must be disposed of or suitably bagged for laundering as asbestos-contaminated clothing.
The laundering facility that is equipped to launder asbestos-contaminated clothing:
    * should be informed of the asbestos contamination
    * should have a management plan in place to control the release of respirable fibres
    * should be constructed of smooth surfaces that are able to be lined with polythene sheeting or easily wiped clean
    * may use conventional washing machines provided they are not used for other clothing
    * may need to have a laundry room that is under negative pressure to eliminate or minimise the release of airborne asbestos fibres during the laundering process – this can be determined during the risk assessment
    * should have procedures established for cleaning up spills and for the prevention of flooding of neighbouring areas.

The contaminated clothing should:
    * be removed damp and thoroughly wet, then placed in impermeable containers or bags the outside of which are decontaminated and labelled to indicate the presence of asbestos before being sent to the commercial laundering facility
    * not be allowed to dry out before washing.
At the laundry facility:
    * the containers and bags holding the asbestos-contaminated clothing should be opened in the washing machine while being further saturated. As a minimum, P1 respiratory protection must be worn while unloading clothes into the washing machine
    * the empty containers or bags should be disposed of as asbestos waste. Waste water must be filtered and the filtering medium disposed of as asbestos waste.

4.8 Waste containment and disposal
An asbestos removalist should design the route for removal of the asbestos waste bags or containers through the asbestos removal work area prior to commencement of