Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 12:15 PM AWST

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Supervise asbestos removal

Supervise asbestos removal

Unit of competency
National Code
CPCCBC4051A
State Code
D9384
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
29/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/06/2014
Field of Education
040399 - Building, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
20/06/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to supervise the removal process for friable and non-friable asbestos containing material (ACM). The unit includes planning for and supervising the removal process, including preparing the work area and the work site, using safe and compliant removal practices, maintaining safety procedures, and supervising the decontamination and removal processes. Ensuring compliance with the asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) is central to the effective performance of the role. This includes ensuring and documenting that required air monitoring and other testing and certification processes are conducted by licensed asbestos assessors according to legislation.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Plan for asbestos removal.
  • 1.1 Work instructions, other required information and the client’s brief are obtained, clarified, confirmed and applied for planning purposes.
  • 1.2 Asbestos register, if available, is obtained and reviewed to inform planning.
  • 1.3 Work site is inspected to confirm requirements and inform the planning process.
  • 1.4 Scope of job is identified and initial preparations are conducted according to workplace requirements.
  • 1.5 Staffing levels required for completion of job are confirmed.
  • 1.6 Required quantity of materials is calculated according to job specifications and quality requirements.
  • 1.7 Safety requirements and data from asbestos register, project construction safety emergency plan, safe work methods statement (SWMS) for a construction site, and other information sources are identified to prepare for a safe and compliant removal process.
  • 1.8 Plant, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) to carry out the job are identified, sourced and steps taken to ensure their serviceability.
  • 1.9 Environmental requirements are identified for the job according to environmental plans and regulatory obligations, including preparations for a clearance inspection by a licensed asbestos assessor.
  • 1.10 Processes required to meet health-monitoring and air-monitoring requirements are identified and planned with the licensed asbestos assessor and within limits of own responsibility.
  • 1.11 Occupants, neighbours and other affected parties are notified according to legislation and the code of practice and within limits of own responsibility.
  • 1.12 Proper identification and handling of asbestos containing materials are planned and implemented according to legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • 1.13 ARCP is developed within limits of own responsibility.
  • 1.14 Required documentation is prepared and steps are taken toensure authorisationaccording to legislative and company requirements.
  • 1.15 Arrangements and work schedules are organised so that compliant supervision of the asbestos removal job is undertaken.
2 Prepare site for removal.
  • 2.1 Workers’ certificates of competency for the type of removal required are sighted by the supervisor and records are kept on site.
  • 2.2 Team members are provided with instructions for the safe and compliant conduct of the job according to the ARCP.
  • 2.3 Steps are taken to ensure the signage and barricades to delineate the work area from the work site are erected according to legislative requirements.
  • 2.4 Notification documents for the job, copy of asbestos removal licence, and training documents are secured and steps taken to retain them on site.
  • 2.5 Daily air-monitoring readings are posted on the work site according to legislative requirements.
  • 2.6 Team members are provided with PPE and its proper usage and fit are checked.
  • 2.7 Steps are taken to ensure all equipment is installed and checked for serviceability according to legislation and manufacturer specifications for use.
  • 2.8 Final safety checks are made of the site, including ensuring that utilities are deactivated and secured prior to commencing work.
3 Supervise testing, compliance and documentation in consultation with the licensed asbestos assessor and the asbestos removalist.
  • 3.1 Communication is undertaken with the licensed asbestos assessor to ensure compliance with legislative requirements for air monitoring.
  • 3.2 Testing of equipment and work site is supervised to ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
  • 3.3 In consultation with the licensed asbestos assessor and the asbestos removalist ensure that corrective action is taken, as required, should initial test results not conform to legislative requirements.
  • 3.4 On advice from the licensed asbestos assessor, steps are put in place to ensure removal does not occur until air-monitoring checks have been undertaken and documented according to legislative requirements.
  • 3.5 Required documentation is completed and forwarded to authorities according to legislative and workplace requirements.
4 Oversee removal and decontamination processes.
  • 4.1 Set-up and daily checking of equipment are supervised to ensure safety, efficiency and compliance with legislative requirements.
  • 4.2 Removal of asbestos from the structure is supervised using safe work methods and according to the ARCP, regulatory requirements and codes of practice.
  • 4.3 Steps are taken to ensure asbestos is contained and placed in double-lined bins or ‘double-bagged’ according to regulatory requirements.
  • 4.4 Bags are sealed, labelled and removed from work area to designated work site area according to the ARCP.
  • 4.5 Arrangements are made with removal firms and bin suppliers to ensure the timely and appropriate removal of ACM from the site, and waste facility dumping receipts are received as evidence of compliance.
  • 4.6 Supervision is provided of the facilities and processes to ensure the compliant decontamination of team members and the work area and work site.
  • 4.7 Clearance inspection, including air monitoring as required, is conducted of work area, work site and equipment to ensure job is completed according to legislative and workplace requirements.
  • 4.8 Site is secured according to legislative requirements until clearance inspection and air-monitoring results have been approved and clearance certificate has been received.
  • 4.9 Incidents are identified and reported according to company and legislative requirements.
5 Supervise and support team members.
  • 5.1 Appropriate training on site is provided to asbestos removal team workers to ensure safe and compliant operations of the job site, including use of the ARCP, company’s WHS policies, and site safety plan.
  • 5.2 Work is scheduled to ensure the timely and efficient completion of the job and operation of the team.
  • 5.3 Processes are put in place to encourage open communication with team members regarding safety and the appropriateness of work practices.
  • 5.4 Constructive feedback is provided to team members regarding work performance to improve efficiency and safe work practices.
  • 5.5 Steps are taken to build and reinforce a workplace culture that supports quality, compliant operations and safety.
  • 5.6 Team performance is managed according to company and legislative requirements.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Information to ensure the safe and correct completion of the job may include:
assessor’s control air-monitoring report
company policies and procedures
JSA and SWMS for construction as required
operating manuals (WHS management systems) and specifications for materials and equipment
asbestos register
diagrams or sketches
instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
manufacturer specifications and instructions, where specified and SDS
regulatory and legislative requirements for enclosing and removing friable and non-friable asbestos
relevant Australian standards and codes
safe work procedures relating to enclosing and removing asbestos
signage
memos, verbal and written instructions, and diagrams
work bulletins, work schedules, plans and specifications.
Preparations at the commencement of the jobmay include:
preparing and implementing the ARCP
assessing conditions and hazards
determining work requirements, and safety plans and policies
consulting with local authorities (councils) and local waste management and transport authorities to determine requirements
identifying equipment defects
identifying and preparing for containing and removing asbestos from a work site according to ARCP
inspecting work site
conducting work site inductions.
Materials must be relevant to the type of asbestos removed and may include:
acrylic paint to seal ACM
approved and branded or labelled plastic bags
duct tape
foam infill spray
gaffer tape
plastic sheeting
polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) adhesive as spray / spray tack glue
rags or other material wipes
heavy-duty polythene bags (200 μm minimum thickness)
200 μm unused (not recycled) plastic sheeting or drop sheet
drums or bins in good condition with well-fitting lids and labelled with required warning sign
signs
timber frames, nails, aluminium poles and other materials required for enclosures.
Quality requirements may include:
internal company quality policy and standards
manufacturer specifications
relevant regulations, including Australian standards
workplace operations and procedures.
Safety procedures are to be according to state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan and may relate to:
conduct of work site induction
emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, and evacuation
handling activities that may require the assistance of others or the use of manual or mechanical lifting devices where size, weight or other issues, such as a disability, are a factor
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
organisational first aid requirements
PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
safe operating procedures according to SWMS, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:
deactivating or securing utilities, including electrical, air conditioning and water services
earth leakage boxes
falling objects
lighting
plant movement
power cables, including overhead service trays, cables and conduits
restricted access barriers
surrounding structures
traffic control
trip hazards
work site visitors and the public
working at heights
working in confined spaces
working in proximity to others
use of firefighting equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environmental requirements and safety.
Plant, tools and equipment must be relevant to the job (whether for the removal of friable or non-friable ACM), may require separate licensing for use, and may include:
high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum cleaners to comply with AS3544-1988 and AS4260-1997 as amended from time to time
pipelines
anchorage points for enclosures
atomiser water bottles and hand pressure sprayer
barricades
barricade tape, including para-webbing or fencing
bars (crow and pinch)
bolt cutters
buckets
cold chisels
enclosure equipment for large-scale asbestos removal work
excavators
mini-enclosures for small-scale asbestos removal work
glove bag or wrap and cut equipment
negative air pressure enclosures or bubbles
negative pressure exhaust units
PVA adhesive as spray / spray tack glue
scaffolds
scrapers
shovels and spades
signs
smoke generators
staple guns
decontamination unit and remote decontamination units if required for large-scale removal
decontamination facilities for non-friable asbestos removal
drills (manual and low-speed only)
enclosures for large-scale asbestos removal work
flame retardant polythene
hammers
hand drills
hardboard / corex
hoses and spray fittings
ladders to comply with construction regulations.
Personal protective equipment will be specified to the requirements of the job and may include:
protective clothing, such as:
disposable coveralls with fitted hood and cuffs
safety footwear (pull-on, not lace-up)
disposable or protective gloves
determining the respiratory protection class appropriate to the type of asbestos to be removed, which may be P1, P2 or P3, or using full-face, powered, air purifying particulate respirator fitted with class P3 filter cartridge
correct face fitting and use of respiratory protective equipment
spare sets of PPE
general WHS requirements, including first aid kit locations.
Environmental requirements must fully reflect legislation and the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos, including:
clean-up management
dust and noise management
sedimentation control
vibration management
waste management, including the safe disposal of ACMs, including waste water from decontamination unit (DCU).
Asbestos containing materials (both friable and non-friable) may include:

Note:
Non-friable asbestos is also known as bonded asbestos
ACM notionally listed as non-friable may become friable due to weathering or damage
acoustic plaster soundproofing
adhesives and glues
asbestos cement
asbestos cement moulded guttering
asbestos cement sheets
asbestos tiles
bitumastic felts and materials
cable bandages
compressed asbestos cement panels
floor vinyl covering
gaskets
millboard
mortar
pipe lagging
electrical meter boxes and related devices
woven textiles, ropes, tapes and braids
decorative coatings
resinous backing board
sealant mastic
sprayed on fireproofing, soundproofing and thermal insulation
tape
thermal insulation.
Compliant supervision entails being:
on site at all time for the removal of friable asbestos
accessible for the removal of non-friable asbestos.
Work site may include:
residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings
plant, equipment and fire boards (e.g. friction plant and gaskets)
demolition sites
fences
soil
ships and other forms of transport.
Utilities may include:
air conditioning
electricity
water services.
Testing procedures:
must:
conform to legislative requirements
be conducted by a licensed asbestos assessor
may include:
air monitoring
analysis of materials to determine presence and type of ACM
smoke tests for leaks in the enclosure.
Documentation may include:
air-monitoring results
asbestos register
notification of asbestos removal work to the regulator as required
asbestos removal control plan
WHS management system
JSA and SWMS for construction
implementation and development of emergency plan
health-monitoring program
leak test results
clearance inspections and certificates
training certificates.
Safe work methods may include:
compliant set-up of the asbestos work area, including set-up of negative air, lighting, water and emergency supplies
placing adequate signage around work site
fire and emergency system requirements
enclosure of the asbestos removal area and the plant, equipment and fixtures remaining in the area
testing of the asbestos work area by a licensed asbestos assessor
procedures for entering and leaving the asbestos work area
safe techniques for removing friable and non-friable asbestos
packaging, sealing and removing contaminated plant, tools and equipment
cleaning and decontaminating the asbestos work area
decontaminating and demobilising the work site
final decontamination of personnel
disposing of asbestos waste.
Appropriate training for team members may include:
conducting on-site training, either one-on-one or small group sessions
recording the mandatory unit of competency for workers for licensed asbestos removal work
providing briefings and explaining the content of induction manuals.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person should demonstrate the ability to:
obtain and apply work instructions for the safe and correct removal of asbestos
plan for the safe and correct removal of asbestos, including:
analysing all documentation, such as the asbestos register
scoping and resourcing the work
work with and supervise the removal team to ensure the safe and correct removal of ACM
supervise and coordinate as required the testing process in strict compliance with legislation and code of practice
supervise decontamination process for workers, equipment and work site to ensure strict compliance with legislation and code of practice
complete documentation that supports the removal process within limits of own responsibility
demonstrate team supervision for the safe and compliant removal of ACM.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
research resources, including industry-related systems information
safety data sheets.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person’s demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OCO56 CPCCDE4008 Supervise asbestos removal Unit of competency