Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Safety requirements will be specified from a range of sources that include:
asbestos removal control plan
company policies and procedures, including:
accessing toilets and other amenities
managing work hours to minimise risk from tiredness
working in heat and avoiding heat stress
JSA
legislation and regulations, including the Code of Practice for the Safe Removal of Asbestos
operating manuals and specifications for materials and equipment
SWMS
asbestos register.
Tools and equipment 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
atomiser and water spray bottles (not pressurised)
hoses and spray fittings
barricades, including tape, para-webbing and fencing
bars (crow and pinch)
bolt cutters
buckets
cold chisels
excavators
hand drills (manual and low-speed only)
fire extinguishers
hammers
hand tools (full kit)
ladders conforming to construction regulations
scaffolds
scrapers
shovels and spades
staple guns.
Personal protective equipment will be specified to the requirements of the job andmust include:
protective clothing, such as:
disposable coveralls with fitted hood and cuffs
safety footwear (pull-on, not lace-up)
protective eyewear
disposable or protective gloves
correct face fitting and use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
respiratory protection required for the job, including class P1 and P2 face masks
spare sets of PPE.
Materials may include:
approved and branded plastic bags, including heavy-duty polythene bags (200 μm minimum thickness)
duct tape
foam infill spray
acrylic paint to seal ACM
polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) adhesive as spray to seal ACM
rags or other material wipes (used once)
signs
200 μm unused (not recycled) plastic sheeting or drop sheet.
Non-friable asbestos containing materials 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
asbestos cement
asbestos cement moulded guttering
asbestos cement sheets
asbestos tiles
bitumastic felts and materials
adhesives and glues
compressed asbestos cement panels
floor vinyl covering
mortar
resinous backing board
sealant mastic
tape.
Workplace procedures may include:
environmental requirements, such as:
clean-up management
dust and noise management
notification to occupants, neighbours and other affected parties
sedimentation control
vibration management
waste management, including the safe disposal of ACM
quality requirements, such as:
internal company quality policy and standards
manufacturer specifications
relevant regulations, including Australian standards
workplace operations and procedures.
Project sites may include:
residential, commercial, industrial and public buildings
plant, equipment and fire boards (e.g. friction plant and gaskets)
demolition sites
electricity supply authority or work site
fences
ships and other forms of transport
sites for new building development.
Utilities may include:
air conditioning
electricity
water services.
Requirements to isolate the removal site:
will reflect the nature of the site
must comply with legislative requirements and the ARCP
may include:
using barriers
using signage
ensuring occupants are aware of the need to stay away from the removal site
ensuring isolation has occurred by a licensed electrician and that this is documented.
Asbestos is removed in a manner that complies with legislative and company requirements, and may include:
wet method (most preferred):
saturate material by gently spraying with water and surfactant mixture (PVA in water ratio of 5:1)
remove materials in sections with the minimum amount of cutting and separation and using hand tools as appropriate
place removed sections in appropriate containers or packaging
Note: The application of the wet asbestos removal method requires the disconnection of the building’s power supply and use of a temporary power source fitted with earth leakage and residual current device (RCD)
dry method (least preferred):
to be used only where conditions prohibit use of the wet spray method, i.e. in the vicinity of electrical conductors
fully encapsulate the work area with plastic sheeting
use air respirators appropriate to the job
ensure removal methods minimise the production of airborne material, for example the use of asbestos vacuum cleaners for shadow vacuuming (Note: domestic vacuum cleaners even fitted with a HEPA filter are unsuitable)
place removed material immediately in appropriate containers and dampen with sprayed mist.
Asbestos iscontained and sealed using a range of techniques, including:
double-bagging
using heavy-duty polythene bags (200 μm minimum thickness) labelled with an appropriate warning
using drums or bins in good condition with well-fitting lids labelled with appropriate warning signage or labels.

Note: If too large for a bin or bag, a skip or vehicle tray may be used provided it is double-lined with heavy-duty thick plastic sheeting. When ACMs are loaded on a truck tray, the ACMs must be wetted down and then fully wrapped and sealed with a layer of 200 μm sheeting or bagged. Labelling must occur.
Decontamination of asbestos removal workers is carried out:
using a range of techniques, including:
‘buddy’ vacuuming
decontamination unit for large non-friable removals in certain circumstances
wet wiping.
Documentation may include:
air-monitoring results, where necessary
asbestos register
notification to regulator of asbestos removal work
clearance certificates
asbestos removal control plans
procedures for the WHS management system and the emergency plan
equipment test reports
health-monitoring program
RPE face fits
competency training certificates.

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 non-friable asbestos
set up the work area and test equipment for use in the removal process of non-friable asbestos
isolate the site prior to removal, complying with regulatory requirements
remove non-friable asbestos safely and comply with regulatory requirements
contain the ACM and ensure its handling and disposal are safe and comply with requirements
decontaminate self, work equipment, and the work site safely and correctly
complete documentation that supports the removal process within limits of own responsibility.
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.