Removing asbestos safely and efficiently from any environment or location across Melbourne requires trained professionals who are not only experienced, but licenced to remove asbestos.
If not removed the right way asbestos can cause serious harm to human health. Therefore, the safest way to remove asbestos is to always use a licenced asbestos removalist. But how do you know if the asbestos removalist you are working with is certified, is licenced and above all safe? We share our top tips below on what to look out for.
What licences should I be looking for?
Any licenced asbestos removalist in Melbourne should have a number of certifications and documentation that demonstrates they are a trusted provider of asbestos removals. Each company should have the following:
- have a waste transport certificate for the waste
- have a waste transport permit for the vehicle
- take the asbestos to a licensed landfill
How is asbestos waste transported?
Before transporting asbestos waste the removalist must register the waste transport certificate with the EPA and nominate the waste transporter and the waste receiver. The waste transport certificate has three parts to it. Within these sections there is information such as:
- the address the waste is coming from
- the classification of the waste
- the registration of the vehicle transporting the waste
- the amount of waste being disposed of (m3).
It is important to note that the classification of the waste will determine which waste receiver is used.
What is the EPA?
The disposal of asbestos waste, whether from a workplace or household, is controlled by the EPA under the Environmental Protection Act 1970 and the Environmental Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998. All asbestos disposal across Australia must comply with the rules and regulations outlined to ensure that asbestos is disposed of safely and effectively.
Make sure the vehicle is certified
The waste transporters vehicle must have a current waste transport permit registered with the EPA and the driver of the vehicle must have a driver training certification completed through the Victorian Waste Management Association. The certificate covers topics including waste management, vehicle preparation and emergency procedure guides.
Check to see if they are up to code
In Victoria, the asbestos removal licence holder is also responsible for any asbestos removal tasks completed, and must have sufficient resources and knowledge to contain and eliminate the release of airborne asbestos fibres. It is important that you check in with your asbestos removalist and ask what their process is. Generally speaking, every asbestos removal company should be complying with the following steps:
- have sufficient resources and knowledge to contain and eliminate the release of asbestos airborne fibres
- ensure after every use that the asbestos waste containers have been decontaminated sufficiently before being removed from the affected area
- if using waste drums or bins, make sure they are in good condition with both the lids and rims free of any hazardous waste
- for larger loads, a waste skip or vehicle tray can be used.
Need an asbestos waste removalist?
For over 30 years AAH Contracting have been working on worksites of all sizes and environments to ensure the safe and efficient removal and disposal of asbestos. We are a Class A & B licenced asbestos removal company with our licence issued by WorkSafe Victoria. For more information about our asbestos removal services please contact our experienced team on 03 9729 0066.
For more information visit:
https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/manage-industrial-waste/transport-prescribed-waste/waste-transport-certificates
https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/manage-industrial-waste/prescribed-industrial-waste-classifications
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/compliance-code-removing-asbestos-workplaces