Asbestos removal licence suspended for safety breaches
A demolition contractor has had their asbestos removal license suspended for failing to set up air monitors while removing asbestos from a house.
The following is an abridgement of an article originally published on the SafeWork South Australia website.
Failure to set up air monitors while removing asbestos
A demolition contractor in the South Australia has lost its class B asbestos removal licence due to failing to follow safety regulations while removing asbestos from a house.
The company had a history of safety breaches surrounding safe removal of asbestos including two expiation notices, five prohibition notices, nine improvement notices, and a letter of warning.
The contractor did not set up air monitors, notify SafeWork SA, or engage an independent assessor for the work. SafeWork SA inspectors found that the contractor had removed a licensable quantity of asbestos.
SafeWork SA takes action
SafeWork SA is currently undertaking a statewide proactive compliance campaign on asbestos licence holders.
Executive Director Glenn Farrell says,
"SafeWork SA will suspend, cancel or refuse a licence if a removalist does not demonstrate safe and competent asbestos removal practices."
The licence suspension was a response to the contractor’s unsafe practices and a warning to other businesses.
When making the decision, SafeWork SA considered the company’s:
- failure as a licence holder to undertake the work competently and safely
- history of repeated contraventions including:
- ability to protect workers and members of the public from exposure to asbestos.
- two expiation notices
- five prohibition notices
- nine improvement notices
- letter of warning and reminder of legal obligations
"This contractor’s failure as a licensed asbestos removalist required such a sanction and should be seen as a warning to any other business who fall short of ensuring the health and safety of their workers and members of the public."
Further information
For more information on asbestos safety, visit the Asbestos SA website or see the Asbestos snapshot FY22-23.
Sources
Asbestos removal licence suspended after safety breaches by SafeWork SA, 25th January 2024.
