Asbestos registers and management plans
The asbestos register is a document that lists all identified – or assumed – asbestos in a workplace.
The person with management or control of a workplace must ensure an asbestos register is prepared and kept at the workplace.
An asbestos register is not required for a workplace if:
- the workplace was a building that was constructed after 31 December 2003, and
- no asbestos has been identified in the workplace, and
- no asbestos is likely to be present at the workplace from time to time.
Asbestos register
The asbestos register must:
- record any asbestos that has been identified or is assumed to be present at the workplace
- record the date when the asbestos was identified
- record the location, type and condition of the asbestos
- be maintained to ensure up-to-date information
- state if no asbestos has been identified
- be given to the employer or business (or other PCBU), when there is a change of management or controller of the workplace.
Asbestos must be labelled, where possible. For example a label can be placed in the electrical meter box indicating that the building contains asbestos and the location of the register.
Photographs or drawings are useful for showing the location of asbestos in the workplace.
Asbestos management plan
A person who has management or control of the workplace must ensure that a written plan (an asbestos management plan) is prepared if asbestos has been identified.
The asbestos management plan must:
- identify the location of asbestos and any naturally occurring asbestos
- include decisions, and reasons for decisions, about the management of asbestos at the workplace for example safe work procedures and control measures
- outline procedures for incidents and emergencies involving asbestos, including who is responsible
- be maintained with up-to-date information
- be reviewed at least every five years or when requested by a health and safety representative (HSR) or when asbestos is removed, disturbed, sealed or enclosed, or when changes to a control measure are made or when the plan is no longer adequate
- be accessible to any worker or the PCBU who has carried out or intends to carry out work at the workplace and any health and safety representatives who represent workers at the workplace
- provide information, consultation and training responsibilities to workers carrying out work involving asbestos.
Other information that can be included in the asbestos management plan:
- an outline of how asbestos risks will be controlled, including consideration of appropriate control measures.
- a timetable for managing risks of exposure, including dates and procedures for the review of the asbestos management plan and activities that could affect the timing of a review.
- persons with responsibilities and their responsibility under the asbestos management plan.
- air monitoring procedures at the workplace, if required.
Further information
See clause 425 (asbestos register) and clause 429 (asbestos management plan) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation as well as the:
- the code of practice How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace
- the code of practice How to safely remove asbestos: Code of practice
- our fact sheet on Naturally occurring asbestos.
More information on asbestos is on our website or call 13 10 50.
Workplace Address: XYZ Manufacturing Unit 3A, Trading Estate West, Anytown 9001 | Name of competent person: Jim Smith, Site OHS Manager (01) 3293 4012 | ||||
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Date of identification | Type of asbestos | Is it friable or non-friable? | Condition of asbestos | Specific location of asbestos | Is this an inaccessible area? |
1/02/2012 | AC roof sheeting | Non-friable | Good, minor deterioration on western end | Whole roof to main building | Not routinely accessed |
1/02/2012 | Fibro wall cladding | Non-friable | Sound condition structurally, paint lifting in some places | Exterior of main building | Accessible. Unlikely to be damaged |
1/02/2012 | Pipe insulation | Friable | Cracked at bends in pipe | Plant room: Behind boiler for water system | Only accessed by maintenance staff |
1/02/2012 | Cement flue | Non-friable | Good condition, coated | Plant room: On top of boiler | Only accessed by maintenance staff |
1/02/2012 | Floor tiles | Non-friable | Good condition, tiles under filing cabinet starting to lift | Main office, asbestos backed vinyl floor tiles | Inaccessible |
Example of an asbestos register taken from the code of practice How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace.
Catalogue No. WC03727