Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:4:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 4/11)
Character Range: 126829–129712

x 7 mm sieve. (Note that for bonded ACM fragments to pass through a 7 mm x 7 mm sieve implies a substantial degree of damage which increases the potential for fibre release.)
From a risk to human health perspective, FA and AF are considered to be equivalent to 'friable' asbestos in Safe Work Australia (2011), which is defined therein as 'material that is in a powder form or that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to a powder by hand pressure when dry, and contains asbestos'.

4.5              Occurrence of asbestos contamination in soil
Bonded ACM is the most common form of asbestos site contamination across Australia, arising from:
    * inadequate removal and disposal practices during demolition of buildings containing asbestos products
    * widespread dumping of asbestos products and asbestos-containing fill on vacant land and development sites
    * commonly occurring in historical fill containing unsorted demolition materials.
If identified early, i.e. prior to significant soil disturbance or earth movements, dumping and inadequate demolition practices usually only results in surface (or near surface) distribution of bonded ACM fragments.

Mining, manufacture or distribution of asbestos products may result in sites being contaminated by friable asbestos including free fibres. Severe weathering or damage (including by vehicle movements) to bonded ACM may also result in the formation of friable asbestos (comprising fibrous asbestos (FA) and asbestos fines (AF)).

4.6              Asbestos soil contamination and health risk
Asbestos only poses a risk to human health when asbestos fibres are made airborne and inhaled. If asbestos is bound in a matrix such as cement or resin, it is not readily made airborne except through substantial physical damage.
This guidance emphasises that the assessment and management of asbestos contamination should take into account the condition of the asbestos materials and the potential for damage and resulting release of asbestos fibres.
Bonded ACM in sound condition represents a low human health risk. However, both FA and AF materials have the potential to generate, or be associated with, free asbestos fibres. As a result, FA and AF must be carefully managed to prevent the release of asbestos fibres into the air.

It is an inappropriate response to declare a site a human health risk on the basis of the presence of bonded ACM alone. However, if the bonded material is damaged or crumbling (that is, it has become friable), it may represent a significant human health risk if disturbed and fibres are made airborne.

The site-specific assessment of sites contaminated with asbestos in soil should be aimed at describing the nature and quantity of asbestos present in sufficient detail to enable a risk management plan to be developed for the current or proposed land use. The management plan should address