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Asbestos SWMS — Safe Work Method Statement for Asbestos Disturbance and Removal

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for asbestos work is a mandatory safety planning document required under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2025 before any high risk construction work involving the disturbance of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM) commences on an Australian site. Asbestos kills more Australians than any other workplace hazard. Mesothelioma alone claims over 700 lives per year in Australia, and the latency period between exposure and diagnosis is typically 20 to 50 years — meaning workers exposed today may not develop symptoms until the 2050s. Asbestosis, lung cancer, and asbestos-related pleural disease add further to the burden. The legal framework for asbestos is more complex than any other HRCW category. A SWMS alone is not sufficient to manage asbestos work. Under Part 8.7 of the WHS Regulation 2025 the removal of friable ACM (any quantity) requires a Class A asbestos removal licence, and the removal of more than 10 square metres of non-friable ACM requires a Class B licence. The licensed removalist must prepare an asbestos removal control plan specific to the work, notify the state WHS regulator at least 5 business days before removal commences, engage a licensed asbestos assessor independent of the removalist for air monitoring (for Class A work), and provide workers with health monitoring records retained for 40 years. The SWMS must cross-reference all of these documents and the ARCP. This is the one category of construction work where getting it wrong does not result in a broken bone that heals in six weeks. It results in a fatal disease that takes decades to develop and has no cure. Every control in an asbestos SWMS must be treated as life-critical. Training is specific: workers removing friable asbestos must hold CPCCDE3015 (Remove friable asbestos) and workers removing non-friable asbestos must hold CPCCDE3014 (Remove non-friable asbestos). Supervisors must hold the supervisor units in addition. This pre-filled asbestos SWMS template has been developed in accordance with the WHS Act 2011, WHS Regulation 2025 Part 8.7, the Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos (2020), the Code of Practice: How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace (2020), the Code of Practice: Construction Work (2019), AS 2601 (Demolition of structures), and AS/NZS 1715 and 1716 (Respiratory protective equipment). It is designed to be customised for the specific removal class, the specific site, and the specific material before use. Industrial manslaughter provisions now apply in every Australian state and territory and under Commonwealth law, and asbestos exposures that result in death can attract the most serious penalties in the WHS framework.

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Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 6.1 Division 3 — High Risk Construction Work; Part 8.7 — Asbestos; Part 8.8 — Asbestos Removal Licences

hrcw category

Work involving the removal of asbestos or asbestos-containing material; work involving the disturbance of asbestos where there is a risk of release of airborne fibres (WHS Regulation 2025, Schedule 1)

code of practice

Code of Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos (2020); Code of Practice: How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace (2020); Code of Practice: Construction Work (2019); AS 2601 Demolition of structures

section 26a binding

Binding under Section 26A — the principal contractor must obtain, review, and keep the SWMS on site for the duration of the HRCW

hrwl required

Class A licensed asbestos removal for any quantity of friable asbestos; Class B licensed asbestos removal for more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. Workers must hold CPCCDE3015 for friable removal or CPCCDE3014 for non-friable removal, and the supervisor units where applicable. A licensed asbestos assessor independent of the removalist is required for Class A air monitoring. Five-day regulator notification is mandatory for all licensed removal

Hazards

HazardConsequenceLikelihood
Inhalation of respirable asbestos fibres during removal, handling or disturbance of asbestos-containing materialInhalation of respirable asbestos fibres causes mesothelioma (an incurable cancer of the lining of the lung, chest wall, or abdomen), asbestosis (progressive fibrosis of the lung), lung cancer, and asbestos-related pleural disease. The latency period between exposure and symptom onset is commonly 20 to 50 years. The workplace exposure standard for asbestos is 0.1 fibres per millilitre of air measured as an 8-hour time weighted average, but there is no safe exposure threshold. Australia has one of the highest per capita rates of asbestos-related disease in the world.Likely (B) — exposure occurs on any disturbance of ACM without effective control
Uncontrolled fibre release from breakage, dry removal, abrasion or high pressure water cleaning of ACMAsbestos cement sheet is non-friable when intact but can release significant fibre when broken, cut, drilled, sanded or pressure washed. Weathered sheets are more friable than their original specification. Any uncontrolled method — dropping sheets, stacking improperly, sweeping dry, blowing with compressed air — causes widespread fibre release and contaminates the work area, the building envelope, and the surrounding environment. Fibres are invisible and can travel on air currents for hundreds of metres under the wrong conditions.Possible (C) — depends entirely on the removal method and handling discipline
Cross-contamination of clean areas from clothing, skin, hair, tools and equipmentWorkers exiting the work area without decontamination carry fibres out of the enclosure on overalls, boots, skin, hair and tools. Contaminated clothing taken home exposes partners and children who have caused multiple secondary mesothelioma cases in Australia. Contaminated tools used in other parts of the site contaminate further areas. A three-stage decontamination unit and strict decontamination sequence are the primary controls.Possible (C) — controlled only by disciplined sequencing
Failure to identify ACM before work commences causing unknowing disturbanceBuildings built before 2003 in Australia are presumed to contain ACM unless inspected and cleared by a competent person. Where the asbestos register is absent, incomplete, or incorrect, workers can disturb asbestos during renovation, maintenance, demolition, or service installation without knowing. Uncontrolled disturbance exposes the entire work crew and potentially building occupants. The PCBU has a duty under Part 8.7 to maintain an asbestos register for the workplace and to communicate the register to workers and contractors.Possible (C) — routine in older buildings without a current asbestos register
Incorrect waste disposal leading to environmental contamination and regulatory breachAsbestos waste must be double-bagged in 200 micron polythene, labelled in accordance with the Code of Practice, transported in covered vehicles, and disposed of at an EPA-licensed landfill site cleared to receive asbestos. Fly-tipping, decanting into general waste, or using unlicensed transporters is prosecuted as an environmental offence and a WHS breach. Environmental contamination events require multi-million-dollar remediation programmes.Unlikely (D) — controlled by licensed disposal and chain of custody documentation
Falls from height during roof, ceiling or eave line ACM removal and risk of falling through fragile asbestos cement sheetAsbestos cement roof sheeting is a fragile roof material under the Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces. A worker can fall through an aged asbestos cement roof sheet under their own body weight. Falls from the roof or through the sheet commonly cause fatal injuries. Roof work involving ACM must combine fall prevention (safety mesh, crawl boards, harnesses) with asbestos controls (wet removal, decontamination).Possible (C) — elevated during roof sheet removal without fragile roof controls
Decontamination failure leaving residual fibres on skin, hair, clothing or personal belongingsWorkers who skip steps in the decontamination sequence, who use inadequate wash facilities, or who exit through the wrong route carry fibres out of the enclosure. Take-home contamination has caused partner and child mesothelioma cases in Australia going back decades. Strict decontamination sequence — dirty room, shower, clean room — and documented procedure are the primary controls.Possible (C) — controlled only by training and supervision
Heat stress inside full enclosure wearing respiratory protection and disposable coverallsFull disposable coveralls sealed at the wrists, ankles, and hood combined with respiratory protection in a sealed enclosure reduce the body's ability to dissipate heat. Core temperature can rise rapidly, causing heat exhaustion and heat stroke. A worker collapsing inside an enclosure also requires an emergency rescue that must not contaminate the wider site. Scheduled rest breaks, hydration, cooled PPE, and enclosure temperature monitoring are the controls.Likely (B) — routine during summer and in enclosed ceiling spaces
Manual handling injury from lifting and positioning heavy ACM sheets and waste bagsAsbestos cement sheets are rigid, heavy and awkward. Workers in full PPE have reduced mobility and sweating compromises grip. Lifting sheets overhead for eave removal, passing sheets to a ground crew, or carrying sealed waste bags generates high rates of lower back, shoulder and wrist injury. Mechanical handling aids and team lifting reduce the risk.Likely (B) — a routine feature of removal work
Unlicensed removal of friable asbestos by workers without Class A licensing or competencyRemoval of pipe lagging, sprayed coatings, boiler insulation, millboard, or other friable material by workers who are not Class A licensed, who lack CPCCDE3015 competency, and who work without the required enclosure and air monitoring causes catastrophic uncontrolled fibre release. Unlicensed removal is prosecuted vigorously by state regulators and individual directors can be held personally liable.Unlikely (D) — controlled by licence verification and supervision
Inadequate air monitoring failing to detect fibre levels above the workplace exposure standardAir monitoring conducted by inappropriate methods, unqualified personnel, at inadequate frequency, or at the wrong locations can fail to detect elevated fibre concentrations and may permit site release when contamination remains. The workplace exposure standard is 0.1 fibres per millilitre and the clearance threshold for reoccupation is 0.01 fibres per millilitre. Monitoring by an independent licensed asbestos assessor is mandatory for Class A work.Possible (C) — controlled by engaging an independent licensed assessor

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

[Elimination] Eliminate the need to disturb asbestos by maintaining the material in place under an asbestos management plan where the material is stable and accessible for monitoring
[Elimination] Remove all non-essential workers and building occupants from the work area before any disturbance commences, establishing an exclusion zone with signage and barricades
[Substitution] Substitute destructive removal with intact-removal techniques — whole-sheet removal rather than breaking, drilling out fixings rather than cutting through sheets, and lowering rather than dropping
[Isolation] Establish a sealed plastic enclosure around the work area using 200 micron polythene sheeting, taped and battened at all joints, with a three-stage decontamination unit at the entry
[Isolation] Establish and maintain continuous negative pressure inside the enclosure using a HEPA filtered negative air pressure unit, monitored with a differential pressure gauge and alarm
[Isolation] Isolate the work area from other site activities and from public access with fencing, signage and time-based scheduling
[Engineering] Use wet removal methods throughout — fine water mist, low pressure spray, or PVA solution — to suppress fibre release during handling
[Engineering] Use HEPA-filtered vacuum (H-class to AS/NZS 60335.2.69) for all surface decontamination and spill recovery; prohibit dry sweeping and compressed air blowing
[Engineering] Fit fragile roof controls for any work on asbestos cement roof sheets including safety mesh, crawl boards, and fall arrest harness systems
[Engineering] Install mechanical ventilation and temperature monitoring inside the enclosure to manage heat stress
[Administrative] Identify all ACM on site via the asbestos register and confirm the register is current, signed by a competent person, and reviewed before work commences
[Administrative] Ensure the licensed removalist prepares an asbestos removal control plan that is cross-referenced in the SWMS and available on site
[Administrative] Lodge a five-day notification to the state WHS regulator before licensed removal commences, including the site, class, quantity and scheduled dates
[Administrative] Engage a licensed asbestos assessor independent of the removalist for air monitoring and clearance inspection for Class A work
[Administrative] Verify every removal worker holds CPCCDE3015 (friable) or CPCCDE3014 (non-friable) and that supervisors hold the supervisor unit; record licence numbers and expiry dates in the SWMS
[Administrative] Implement a documented decontamination sequence — dirty room, shower, clean room — and brief every worker on the procedure before entry
[Administrative] Implement health monitoring for workers conducting licensed removal and retain records for 40 years
[Administrative] Establish waste disposal chain of custody with double-bagging, labelling, licensed transport and disposal at an EPA-licensed landfill, supported by disposal receipts retained in the project file
[PPE] P2 half-face respirator to AS/NZS 1716 minimum for non-friable removal; P3 full-face or powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) for friable asbestos removal
[PPE] Disposable Type 5/6 coveralls to AS/NZS 3765 or AS/NZS 4501.1 taped at wrists, ankles and hood, disposed as asbestos waste after each session
[PPE] Disposable nitrile gloves to AS/NZS 2161.10, double-gloved for friable removal, disposed as asbestos waste
[PPE] Washable safety footwear to AS/NZS 2210.3 — rubber or PVC boots preferred as they can be decontaminated; lace-up leather boots trap fibres
[PPE] Hard hat to AS/NZS 1801 for overhead removal and eye protection to AS/NZS 1337.1 under respirator

Recent Prosecutions

SafeWork NSW — unlicensed removal of asbestos cement sheetingFines of the order of $400,000 and a prohibition notice

A demolition contractor carried out unlicensed removal of asbestos cement sheeting from a commercial building without a SWMS, without an enclosure, without respiratory protection, and left asbestos debris on the ground accessible to members of the public. SafeWork NSW prosecuted the corporate PCBU under the WHS Act and the asbestos provisions of the WHS Regulation. A prohibition notice was issued preventing further work until a safety management system was implemented.

2023 — SafeWork NSW Prosecution Register

WorkSafe Victoria — demolition commenced before asbestos removal completeFines of the order of $350,000 and an enforceable undertaking

A demolition commenced while asbestos removal was still in progress. A mechanical excavator broke through a wall containing asbestos cement sheeting and exposed approximately 12 workers to airborne fibres. WorkSafe Victoria prosecuted the principal contractor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Regulation. The matter resulted in a significant penalty and an enforceable undertaking requiring an independent asbestos management audit.

2022 — WorkSafe Victoria Prosecution Register

Safe Work Australia asbestos compliance priorityMultiple prohibition notices and financial penalties

Safe Work Australia and the state regulators continue to identify asbestos management and removal as a national compliance priority. Enforcement action covers failure to maintain an asbestos register, failure to notify the regulator before removal, inadequate enclosures and decontamination, and failure to engage independent licensed assessors. Improvement and prohibition notices are issued routinely, and prosecutions follow for serious breaches.

2024 — Safe Work Australia and state regulator compliance data

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓A description of the asbestos work including the specific task, the material type, the estimated quantity and the expected duration
✓Identification of every hazard associated with the work, assessed using a risk matrix
✓Control measures documented in the order of the hierarchy of controls
✓How each control measure will be implemented, supervised, monitored and reviewed
✓The name and position of the licensed removal supervisor on site
✓Evidence of consultation with the workers and any HSR
✓Training and licence records — CPCCDE3015 or CPCCDE3014 for workers and the supervisor unit for the supervisor, plus the removal licence number
✓Emergency procedures including first aid, containment breach response and notifiable incident reporting
✓PPE requirements specified by type and Australian Standard
✓Plant and equipment including NAPU, decontamination unit and HEPA vacuum
✓Hazardous substances including PVA, water suppression additives and cleaning chemicals with Safety Data Sheets
✓Site-specific conditions including access, adjacent occupancy, weather, and traffic
✓A worker sign-on sheet confirming the briefing
✓Review triggers
✓Asbestos removal control plan reference — the SWMS must cross-reference the ARCP prepared by the licensed removalist
✓Asbestos type and condition — friable or non-friable, condition, location and estimated quantity
✓Enclosure and containment method — enclosure type, NAPU specification, air change rate, entry and exit procedures
✓Decontamination procedure — step-by-step sequence for workers exiting the removal area
✓Waste disposal method — double-bagging, labelling, licensed transport and disposal site identification
✓Air monitoring regime — personal and static monitoring, who performs it, action levels and clearance criteria

Build Your Asbestos SWMS in Minutes

This SWMS template pre-loads asbestos hazards, fibre suppression controls, decontamination procedures, licensing references, and disposal requirements so licensed removalists and competent persons can customise the document for the specific scope. Select the removal type, review the controls, and produce a site-ready SWMS before work commences.

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