Asbestos Air monitoring
In Australian legislation, the requirement for asbestos air monitoring can vary depending on the specific circumstances and jurisdiction. Some general situations where asbestos air monitoring may be required are:
- Asbestos removal projects: During asbestos removal activities, it is typically a legal requirement to conduct air monitoring to ensure that the removal process is performed safely and to verify that airborne asbestos fibers are maintained at acceptable levels. This mainly applies to friable (easily crumbled) Non-friable (or bonded) asbestos removal projects, generally are not required to have air monitoring unless in close proximity to schools or other public facilities.
- Clearance inspections: After completing an asbestos removal project, a clearance inspection is typically conducted to assess the effectiveness of the removal and verify that the area is safe for reoccupation. This includes air monitoring to ensure that airborne asbestos fiber concentrations are below the clearance criteria specified in the legislation.
- Maintenance or disturbance of asbestos-containing materials: When maintenance work or activities that may disturb asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are planned, air monitoring may be required to assess the potential release of asbestos fibers and to ensure worker safety. This may apply to activities such as drilling, cutting, or sanding ACMs.
- Asbestos exposure incidents: In the event of an incident or accidental release of asbestos fibers, air monitoring may be necessary to assess the extent of contamination, determine potential exposure risks, and guide appropriate cleanup and decontamination procedures.
The specific types of asbestos air monitoring may include:
- Personal air monitoring: This involves collecting air samples directly from the breathing zone of individuals who may be exposed to asbestos fibers during their work activities. Personal air monitoring helps assess individual exposure levels and determine compliance with exposure standards.
- Removal (Static or fixed-point) air monitoring: This type of monitoring involves placing air sampling devices at specific locations adjacent to asbestos removal works to assess the airborne asbestos fiber concentrations. Removal air monitoring provides information on the overall airborne asbestos levels in a particular area adjacent to removal works.
- Background air monitoring: Background air monitoring is conducted to establish the baseline asbestos fiber levels in the environment before any asbestos-related work begins. It helps differentiate between naturally occurring asbestos and asbestos released from work activities.
- Clearance air monitoring: Clearance air monitoring is performed after the completion of asbestos removal work. It involves collecting air samples to verify that the airborne asbestos fiber concentrations in the area are below the specified clearance criteria and that the area is safe for reoccupation.
It’s important to consult the specific asbestos regulations and guidelines in your state or territory, as the requirements and types of air monitoring may vary slightly. Additionally, engaging a licensed asbestos assessor or occupational health and safety professional can provide guidance on complying with the relevant legislation and ensuring the safety of workers and occupants.
