Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:4:p6
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 6/11)
Character Range: 132033–135345

covering with a durable hard cover. The requirement for the soil surface to be free of visible asbestos applies to both assessment and remediation phases.
Refer to sections 4.10 and 4.11 for guidance on determining asbestos concentration in soil and comparison with these screening levels.
Table 7. Health screening levels for asbestos contamination in soil
                       Health Screening Level (w/w)
Form of asbestos       Residential A1                        Residential  B2  Recreational C3  Commercial/
                                                                                               Industrial D4
Bonded ACM             0.01%                                 0.04%            0.02%            0.05%
FA and AF5             0.001%
(friable asbestos)
All forms of asbestos  No visible asbestos for surface soil

   1. Residential A with garden/accessible soil also includes children's day care centres, preschools and primary schools.

   2. Residential B with minimal opportunities for soil access; includes dwellings with fully and permanently paved yard space such as high-rise buildings and apartments.

   3. Recreational C includes public open space such as parks, playgrounds, playing fields (e.g. ovals), secondary schools and unpaved footpaths.

   4. Commercial/industrial D includes premises such as shops, offices, factories and industrial sites.

   5. The screening level of 0.001% w/w asbestos in soil for FA and AF (i.e. non-bonded/friable asbestos) only applies where the FA and AF are able to be quantified by gravimetric procedures (refer Section 4.10). This screening level is not applicable to free fibres.

4.9              Process for assessment of asbestos contamination
The recommended general process for assessment of site contamination, including for assessment of asbestos, is shown in Schedule A to this NEPM. The process starts with a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI), which may lead to a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI). Depending on the site-specific circumstances and the proposed remediation approach, conservative management of presumed asbestos contamination may avoid the need for a DSI. Where remediation is required, appropriate validation sampling should be carried out to verify the effectiveness of the measures undertaken.

It is important to note that inadequate sampling strategies and/or inadequate documentation, rather than lack of accuracy in the adopted analytical methods, characteristically limit the effective evaluation of sites contaminated with asbestos.

Further information on the recommended assessment process is provided in Schedule B2.

A DSI is not necessary where there is a high degree of confidence that the asbestos contamination is confined to bonded ACM in superficial soil, i.e. the site history can be established with confidence and this clearly indicates that there is no reason to suspect buried asbestos materials and the site inspection confirms that any bonded ACM is in sound condition and only present on the surface/near surface of the site. In these circumstances the assessment can proceed directly to remediation (removal of bonded ACM fragments and ensuring that the soil surface is free of visible asbestos) and validation.

4.10          Determining asbestos in soil concentrations
Bonded ACM