Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00423:body:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00423
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 28443–31346

the first step in managing the risk of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. As there may be more than one person in the workplace responsible for this duty, it is important that all duty holders consult, cooperate and coordinate with each other as well as consulting with workers and health and safety representatives, for example the person with control of the workplace may carry out the task of identifying asbestos with the person who has day-to-day management of the workplace to ensure it has been done accurately.
If the person with management or control of the workplace assumes that asbestos or ACM is present, or if they have reasonable grounds to believe that asbestos is not present, a competent person does not need to be engaged to make this decision.

Who can be a competent person?
The WHS Regulations define a competent person to be someone who has acquired knowledge and skills to carry out the task through training, a qualification or experience. This may mean that the competent person who can identify asbestos is:
    * trained to handle and take asbestos samples, have the knowledge and experience to identify suspected asbestos and be able to determine risk and controls measures
    * familiar with building and construction practices to determine where asbestos is likely to be present
    * able to determine that material may be friable or non-friable asbestos and evaluate its condition.
There may be a person within the business that is competent to identify asbestos. If there is not, an external competent person should be engaged. Persons who may be considered to be competent in the identification of asbestos include:
    * occupational hygienists who have experience with asbestos
    * licensed asbestos assessors
    * asbestos removal supervisors
    * individuals who have a statement of attainment in the unit competency for asbestos assessors
    * a person working for an organisation accredited by NATA under AS/NZS ISO/IEC 17020: 2000 General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection for surveying asbestos.

Factors to consider when identifying asbestos
The person who is carrying out the task of identifying asbestos should have all relevant information so they can correctly identify where asbestos is located in the workplace. For example, obtaining information on the products used in making the building, structure or plant, including building plans, design specifications, and correspondence with builders and plant manufacturers. Consulting Workers in the workplace may also be able to assist the person with this task.
There are a number of factors that may be taken into account to identify or assume that asbestos is present in a workplace. These include:

When was the building constructed?                                                     Asbestos was widely used as construction and insulation material