How to Remove Asbestos

Householders may carry out minor repairs on asbestos containing materials without the need to consult a professional. Up to 10m² of asbestos can be removed without requiring a licence. Over 10m², any asbestos must be removed by a licenced and trained professional. When handling products that are likely to contain asbestos, the following safety precautions should be adhered to:

• Wet down the area thoroughly to reduce the number of airborne fibres.
• Use equipment that supresses dust or has extraction capacities.
• Clean the area after asbestos removal rigorously, ensure the area is continuously wet down.
• Ensure your own safety by wearing protective equipment such as a respirator (P1 or P2), disposable coveralls, safety glasses and disposal gloves.
• Do not use high pressure water hoses or compressed air to clean asbestos sheets.
• Do not use power tools to cut, drill, sand, grind, or saw asbestos containing products.

Removed asbestos should always be separated from other waste materials, securely wrap in heavy duty black plastic and labelled with ‘caution asbestos’. Asbestos needs to be disposed of at an approved waste facility such as Red Hill Waste Management Facility.

Illegally dumped asbestos

If you find a significant amount of suspected asbestos containing materials on private or public land, please contact the Shire of Toodyay’s Environmental Health Officer on (08) 9574 9300 or the Department of Environmental Regulation’s Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 (24 hours).

Useful Links

Asbestos – A guide for householders and the general public

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-enhealth-asbestos-may2012.htm

Worksafe – Asbestos

https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/worksafe/asbestos

For more information, please contact the Shire’s Environmental Health Officer.