How to Safely Remove Asbestos (Code of Practice)

The 'How to Safely Remove Asbestos' Code of Practice is the companion document to the management Code. It applies to licensed asbestos removalists and to any PCBU that engages them.

It covers the full removal workflow: planning the job, preparing an Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP), notifying the regulator, isolating and signposting the work area, controlling dust and fibres, safe handling and waste disposal, and final clearance.

The Code explains when a Class A licence is required (for friable asbestos), when a Class B licence is sufficient (non-friable, more than 10 m²), and the role of an independent licensed asbestos assessor in air monitoring and clearance for Class A work.

It also addresses worker controls — respiratory protective equipment selection, personal protective equipment, decontamination units and procedures, and the need to keep exposure as low as reasonably practicable.

What this means for you: if you're commissioning removal work, this Code defines what 'good' looks like. AX4's involvement typically sits around the removal — pre-removal identification and registers, scope of works, and post-removal clearance documentation aligned with the Code.

Disclaimer: this is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Refer to the current Code published by Safe Work Australia and adopted in SA.