Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00418:body:0:p31
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00418
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 79986–82822

to clean. It should remain inside the barricaded area or dirty decontamination area for the duration of the asbestos removal work and should not be shared for hygiene reasons. Disposable overshoes should be avoided unless they are of a design that has an anti-slip sole.
When safety footwear is not in use, it should be stored upside down to minimise asbestos contamination inside the footwear. Storage facilities should be provided to allow for storage of the shoes. At the end of the removal work and each time the worker leaves the asbestos removal work area, safety footwear must be:
    * decontaminated
    * sealed in double bags for use on the next asbestos removal site (but not for any other type
      of work)
    * disposed as asbestos waste.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
All workers engaged in asbestos removal work must wear RPE conforming to the requirements
of AS/NZS 1716:2012 Respiratory Protection Devices or its equivalent.
The level of respiratory protection and supplied air respirators should be determined by a competent person. The selection of suitable RPE depends on the nature of the asbestos removal work, the probable maximum concentrations of asbestos fibres expected and any personal characteristics of the wearer that may affect the facial fit of the respirator (for example, facial hair and glasses).
Disposable RPE is not preferred, however if selected, it should be stored in a suitable and clean location before use and disposed of after a single use.
A competent person may change the level of RPE at any stage during the asbestos removal job following an assessment of the asbestos fibre levels experienced inside the asbestos removal work area. For example, this may occur during the final clean-up after the removal of friable asbestos when the use of air-lines is no longer considered necessary.
If a medical condition precludes the use of negative pressure respirators, workers should be provided with a continuous-flow, positive pressure respirator wherever possible.
At every asbestos removal job, the workers should be reinstructed in the necessity to wear RPE correctly to guard against complacency.
A fit test should be performed to ensure the RPE fits the individual and provides a good face seal between the worker's skin and the face piece. Fit tests should be repeated when changing from different models of RPE or a different sized face piece.
Appendix B provides more information on selecting suitable RPE and fit tests.

Using and maintaining RPE
RPE must be worn at all times in the asbestos removal area and until the appropriate stage of personal decontamination.
Asbestos removalists or asbestos removal supervisors must ensure all workers undertaking any asbestos removal work receive instruction and training in:
    * fit testing/checking
    * the importance of