It has been brought to our attention that some of our documentation contained incorrect and misleading information. It was suggested that you were able to do class B work if you hold the class A unit standard. This is not correct. Please accept our apologies for this error.

Hold the right unit for the job

Please ensure that your workers hold the relevant certifications for the asbestos removal work they are employed to carry out.

The relevant unit standards for asbestos work are:

• Unit standard 29765 to undertake class B work
• Unit standard 29766 to undertake class A work.

To clarify: if you are doing class B work, then you must hold the unit 29765 and if you are doing class A work, then you must hold unit 29766. Holding unit 29766 does not entitle you to undertake class B work. 

Different training

The training and qualification requirements for class A asbestos removal are different from those for class B asbestos removal - because of the differences between removal practices for friable and non-friable asbestos.

Safe Work Instrument

This information is consistent with the WorkSafe Asbestos Prescribed Relevant Courses Safe Work Instrument, released 8 May 2017, which states the relevant courses for those wishing to undertake friable and non-friable asbestos removal work.

Training pathway – revised

We have revised the training pathway to accurately reflect the requirements described above (see attached).

Class B work without training

The regulations allow workers to undertake a maximum of four weeks class B asbestos removal work in any given year without the need to hold unit standard 29765.

Therefore, if you need to undertake further training but find it is not possible before 4 April, you can legitimately keep working until you have completed four weeks work. At such time you must get trained to 29765, or its Australian equivalent, to continue doing class B removal work.

Supervisor requirements

Supervisors should hold the relevant unit standard for the work they are overseeing, as well as the supervisor unit. In this case, if a supervisor were to supervise class A and class B removal you should hold all three unit standards:

• Unit standard 29765 to undertake class B work
• Unit standard 29766 to undertake class A work
• Unit standard 29767 to supervise asbestos removal.

The asbestos regulations require a business or undertaking to identify asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM) before any demolition or refurbishment work on a structure or plant (including a home) is carried out at a work site if:

• it was constructed or installed before 1 January 2000, or
• asbestos has been identified, or
• asbestos is likely to be present from time to time.

Minor or routine maintenance work or other minor work does not trigger this requirement.

You must ensure that the asbestos is removed before the refurbishment or demolition is started (unless demolition is required to gain access to the asbestos).

Demolition is an easy concept, but what about refurbishment? Refurbishment is when you are carrying out work in a building or structure with the view to change or upgrade it. This is different to minor maintenance, which is about maintaining what you have.

Read our technical bulletin for the full story on what work you can do without having to conduct a demolition and refurbishment survey. 

The ACOP is the most comprehensive asbestos resource

The Approved Code of Practice for Management and Removal of Asbestos is often assumed as a resource for removalists.

While this is partially true, it should not be overlooked for those in a range of other industries. It includes safe work practices that plumbers, builders, roofers, painters and a range of other trades will find useful.

The document contains all the elements you need to develop an asbestos management plan or what level of safety equipment is required depending on the work you are doing.

If in doubt, it is probably covered in the ACOP.