OHS REPS @ WORK

Part 4.3 (Asbestos) of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 requires that any asbestos removal work on commercial sites be done by a licensed removalist.

Limited removal without a license is permissable if the asbestos to be removed is in a good condition (non-friable) and a very small quantity, and the removal takes no more than one hour in any seven day period. Very limited amounts of asbestos-contaminated dust can also be removed if it constitutes no more than a 'minor contamination'. However, it is our view that asbestos-contaminated dust should only be removed by licensed removalists.

However, this does not apply for domestic removals. Householders can legally for householders to remove asbestos themselves, though certain requirements MUST be followed for both health and safety and legal reasons. More information on removing asbestos in homes is on this website.

The Victorian Trades Hall Council (03 9662 3511) maintains a list of licensed removalists who have also signed an agreement with the VTHC to operate according to a code of conduct. We recommend that any asbestos removal be undertaken by one of the removalists on our list, which is updated every 3 months. All removalists on the VTHC list are licensed by WorkSafe Victoria as required under the regulations.

Important Note: While the VTHC cannot guarantee the quality of the work performed by the listed removalists, the Asbestos Committee monitors their adherence to the Agreement and Code of Conduct and reserves the right to remove a company not complying. If you have any concerns that a removalist on the register has not adhered to any condition of the Agreement or the Code, please contact us at the Unit on 03 9662 3511.

Domestic removals: Some companies will do small jobs - call them to discuss your needs (start with the ones with a D first).

VTHC RECOGNISED ASBESTOS REMOVALIST LIST No 84

Date: 1 January 2009 Expiry Date: 31 March 2009
(Note that List 84 replaces List 83)

CLASS A Asbestos Removalists
All forms of Asbestos Containing Material (friable and non-friable) Removal

CLASS B Removalists
All types of non-friable asbestos containing material (eg cement sheeting or vinyl tiles)

*Please note: Although APlus has been issued with a Class A removalist licence by WorkSafe Victoria, the company has been recognised by the VTHC as a Class B removalist ONLY, for a trial period, as per our agreement.  Its status will be reviewed in 2009. Contact the VTHC if you have any queries.

For more information, contact the following union contacts

NOTE: under the new licensing system, the WorkCover Authority issues the following classes of licences:

• Class A
• Class A (Restricted)
• Class B
• Class B (Restricted)

As of September 2008, no company with a restricted license had applied to be included on our Asbestos Removalist List.

You can check whether any other removalist you may come across has an asbestos removalist licence on the 'Service Provider Directory' on the WorkCover website.