Many people think that dumping asbestos containing materials (ACMs) is an easy work. But less do they know that illegally dumping this hazardous material can lead to serious criminal charges and fines. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) unit is collaborating with the local government to fight against asbestos illegal dumping. They have released regulations to prevent any ACM contamination to the environment.

2. Many people think that dumping asbestos
containing materials (ACMs) is an easy work. But
less do they know that illegally dumping this
hazardous material can lead to serious criminal
charges and fines. The Environment Protection
Authority (EPA) unit is collaborating with the local
government to fight against asbestos illegal
dumping. They have released regulations to
prevent any ACM contamination to the
environment.
In 2015, a man has been charged with $63,000
after illegally dispose asbestos contaminated soil.
The 3,600 tonnes of contaminated soil was
transported to an empty free space, which is
unlawful to be used as a landfill site.

3. The Director of Waste and Resource Recovery, NSW
EPA, stated, “The defendant showed no regard for
the risk to human life in the transportation and
dumping of asbestos contaminated soil”.
Never underestimate the environmental and health
impact from an illegal dumping act! The impact of
carelessly handling the hazardous materials can be
seen in the future. Prolonged exposure to ACM fibres
can cause severe lung illnesses and even death.
Therefore, the government released several
regulations and guidelines to raise people’s
awareness of illegal dumping dangers.
Reference:http://asbestoswatchcentralcoast.com.au/asbestos-
removal/

5. An asbestos removal licence is held by a person
conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).
Workers carry out licensed asbestos removal work on
behalf of or for the PCBU who holds the licence.
Individual workers do not hold an asbestos licence but
must meet certain training requirements.
An asbestos removal licence issued by Workplace
Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is valid for five
years.

6. To conduct licensed asbestos removal work, other requirements
include:
 Getting a copy of the asbestos register for the workplace
 Preparing asbestos removal control plans and making them
readily accessible
 Informing people before asbestos removal work starts
 Erecting signage and barricades
 Limiting access to the asbestos removal work area
 Having decontamination facilities available
 Disposing of asbestos waste properly
 Being aware of additional requirements for class A asbestos
removal work, including air monitoring
 Notifying workplace health and safety Queensland five days
prior to work commencing.

7. Asbestos removal must be conducted by professionals
who are specifically trained and certified in the safe
removal, containment, and disposal of the material. This
is because the nature of friable fibre is such that is can
easily be crushed, making it airborne and dangerous for
the people around.
‘The law requires that a class–A licensed remover to be
hired for the removal of friable fibres’
References: http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/whs-
information/licensing/asbestos-removal/pages/asbestos-removal