Asbestos
Please note that below we refer to a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) - this wording is used in the new Work Health and Safety Legislation and its meaning can be found on Workplace Health and Safety Queensland's website. To access the definition please open the following link - PCBU Definition.
QLD Licensing Requirements
The licensing requirements for asbestos under the new Work Health and Safety Legislation (which came into force on 01/01/2012) have changed significantly from the previous legislation.
The licenses which existed under the previous legislation (A and B Class) still exist under the new legislation, however who they apply to has changed.
A Class Licence
The Asbestos A class licence is for a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) that wishes to remove friable (unbonded) asbestos. This is the higher level that is required for asbestos removal.
A PCBU who has the Asbestos A class licence can perform the work encompassed within a B class licence as well.
B Class Licence
The Asbestos B class licence is now also for a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), whereas in the old legislation B class licences were issued to individuals.
A PCBU which has a B class licence is authorised to remove more than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos (roughly 4 standard sheets of plasterboard). A PCBU with a B class licence cannot remove friable asbestos.
Although a licence is not required to remove 10m2 or less of non-friable ACM, all asbestos removal work must be carried out properly using safe work procedures. Refer to WHS Regs 2011 and the How to Safely Remove Asbestos Codes of Practice.
How does a PCBU get a licence?
The details on obtaining licenses are available at Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Website under their Asbestos Section (Click the link to open)
Courses
Total Management and Training offers:
- CPCCDE3014 Remove non-friable asbestos
- CPCCDE4008 Supervise asbestos removal
Renewal of Courses
There is no requirement to have the competencies above reassessed under legislation however we recommend that a regular reassessment is conducted based on an assessment of the activities being undertaken. This reassessment ensures currency of theoretical knowledge and updated information in relation to changes in legislation and codes of practice.