Consultation on the requirements for competent persons in relation to asbestos-related tasks

This consultation has now closed. Thank you for your contributions. If you'd like further information, please contact occhygiene@swa.gov.au 

Purpose of the consultation

Safe Work Australia is seeking to understand the nature and extent of issues surrounding the term “competent person” for asbestos-related tasks in the model WHS Regulations.

The 2018 review of the model WHS laws noted that some stakeholders found the definition of a competent person for asbestos-related tasks too broad, making it unclear as to who should or must perform certain asbestos-related tasks, and exactly what type of training, qualification or experience a competent person should hold.

Asbestos arrangements in the model WHS Regulations

Chapter 8 of the model WHS Regulations details the requirements for dealing with asbestos and asbestos-containing materials in the workplace and stipulates who must perform certain asbestos-related tasks. A summary of which asbestos-related tasks require a competent person or licensed asbestos assessor is provided in the table within the supporting document Asbestos Competent Persons – Information Paper (DOCX | PDF).

Who can submit a response to the consultation?

Submissions from anyone with an interest in this topic are welcome. This includes persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), WHS regulators, asbestos removalists and construction/demolition businesses, workers involved with asbestos remediation, health and safety representatives and practitioners and persons with management or control of workplaces where asbestos has been identified.

How to submit a response

To assist with making a submission, three targeted questions are provided for stakeholders to consider.

There is no requirement to answer all the questions and you are welcome to provide other feedback relevant to the requirements for competent persons for asbestos-related tasks.

You can provide an online submission by clicking on the “Take survey” button below.

If you prefer to submit your feedback as a word document, you can complete the Cover page submission template and upload it via the “Take survey” button.

If you are planning to make a submission via email or mail, please fill out the cover sheet. This is not required if you are making a submission online via the Engage portal.

If you are unable to lodge your submission using Engage, please email occhygiene@swa.gov.au.

How we will use your submission

Your submission will assist in providing Safe Work Australia with a more detailed understanding of the extent of the issues surrounding the term “competent person” for asbestos-related tasks, to understand if further action is needed.

Purpose of the consultation

Safe Work Australia is seeking to understand the nature and extent of issues surrounding the term “competent person” for asbestos-related tasks in the model WHS Regulations.

The 2018 review of the model WHS laws noted that some stakeholders found the definition of a competent person for asbestos-related tasks too broad, making it unclear as to who should or must perform certain asbestos-related tasks, and exactly what type of training, qualification or experience a competent person should hold.

Asbestos arrangements in the model WHS Regulations

Chapter 8 of the model WHS Regulations details the requirements for dealing with asbestos and asbestos-containing materials in the workplace and stipulates who must perform certain asbestos-related tasks. A summary of which asbestos-related tasks require a competent person or licensed asbestos assessor is provided in the table within the supporting document Asbestos Competent Persons – Information Paper (DOCX | PDF).

Who can submit a response to the consultation?

Submissions from anyone with an interest in this topic are welcome. This includes persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), WHS regulators, asbestos removalists and construction/demolition businesses, workers involved with asbestos remediation, health and safety representatives and practitioners and persons with management or control of workplaces where asbestos has been identified.

How to submit a response

To assist with making a submission, three targeted questions are provided for stakeholders to consider.

There is no requirement to answer all the questions and you are welcome to provide other feedback relevant to the requirements for competent persons for asbestos-related tasks.

You can provide an online submission by clicking on the “Take survey” button below.

If you prefer to submit your feedback as a word document, you can complete the Cover page submission template and upload it via the “Take survey” button.

If you are planning to make a submission via email or mail, please fill out the cover sheet. This is not required if you are making a submission online via the Engage portal.

If you are unable to lodge your submission using Engage, please email occhygiene@swa.gov.au.

How we will use your submission

Your submission will assist in providing Safe Work Australia with a more detailed understanding of the extent of the issues surrounding the term “competent person” for asbestos-related tasks, to understand if further action is needed.