Remediation & Clearance

Independent oversight. Compliant clearances. Safe environments, certified.

The removal of asbestos is one of the most tightly regulated activities in Australian workplaces – for good reason.

When asbestos is disturbed during removal, fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled by workers, building occupants and members of the public in the vicinity. Inadequate removal practices do not just violate regulatory requirements – they can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer in people who were never made aware of the risk. Getting removal right – from contractor selection and supervision through to clearance inspection and certification – is not just a compliance obligation; it is a moral one.

OHMS Hazmat provides independent oversight, removal coordination and clearance inspection services that ensure asbestos removal projects are completed safely, compliantly and to a standard that genuinely protects the health of everyone involved. Our role as an independent assessor – separate from the removal contractor – is fundamental to the integrity of the clearance process and is required under WA legislation for friable asbestos removal. We bring the same rigour and independence to non-friable removal oversight and to the management of complex removal projects where multiple contractors, regulatory interfaces and community concerns must be navigated simultaneously.

Whether you are managing a planned removal as part of a refurbishment or demolition project, responding to an emergency discovery of damaged or deteriorating ACMs, or coordinating removal across a large portfolio of assets, OHMS Hazmat provides the specialist support you need to manage the process safely and efficiently from start to finish.

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Capabilities

End-to-end project management of asbestos removal works, including scope of works preparation, contractor procurement and tendering, pre-commencement air monitoring and site preparation oversight, supervision of removal activities, waste transport and disposal coordination and project close-out documentation. Available for removal projects of any scale, from single-room works to large industrial decommissioning programmes.

Licensed asbestos assessor clearance inspections conducted in accordance with the WHS Regulations and Safe Work Australia Code of Practice. Includes visual inspection of the work area and enclosure, air monitoring where required, assessment of waste removal and decontamination procedures and issuance of a clearance certificate confirming the area is safe for reoccupation. Conducted independently from the removal contractor.

Provision of formal written certification, clearance certificates and inspection reports that document the outcome of removal and clearance activities. Certificates are signed by our licensed assessors and constitute the legally required evidence that the area has been remediated to a safe standard. Essential for property transactions, regulator notifications and ongoing asset management records.

The Importance of Independent Clearance

Under WA regulations, the licensed asbestos assessor conducting a clearance inspection for friable asbestos removal must be independent of the removal contractor – they cannot be employed by or associated with the business performing the removal.

This independence is not bureaucratic formality; it is a fundamental safeguard that ensures the clearance assessment is objective and not subject to commercial pressure from the removal contractor to approve work that does not meet the required standard.

OHMS Hazmat operates strictly as an independent assessor. We have no financial relationship with removal contractors, no incentive to approve substandard work and no hesitation in requiring additional decontamination or repeated clearance air monitoring where the initial results are not satisfactory. Our clearance certificates carry the authority of a BOHS-qualified, licensed assessor and provide duty holders with the documentation they need.

For non-friable asbestos removal – which does not require a licensed assessor under all circumstances – OHMS Hazmat nonetheless recommends independent clearance oversight on any project where the extent of ACMs is significant, where building occupants will return to the area, or where the duty holder’s due diligence obligations demand documented evidence of safe completion. We can tailor our involvement to the risk profile and complexity of your specific project.

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FAQs

If the clearance inspection reveals visible ACM debris, inadequate decontamination, or fibre air monitoring results above the clearance criterion (currently 0.01 fibres per millilitre under the membrane filter method for licensed removal areas), the licensed assessor will issue a non-clearance notice and specify what additional work is required before re-inspection. The removal contractor is responsible for completing that additional work at their own cost. OHMS Hazmat will conduct a further inspection and monitoring session once the contractor advises that remediation is complete.

Under WA regulations, a clearance inspection by a licensed assessor is mandatory for all friable asbestos removal. For non-friable asbestos removal, a clearance inspection is not always legally mandated in the same way, but the WHS Regulations require the PCBU to ensure that the removal is completed safely and that the area is decontaminated appropriately before reoccupation. A documented clearance inspection – even where not strictly mandated – is strongly advisable to demonstrate due diligence, to protect occupant health and to manage liability. OHMS Hazmat can advise on the appropriate level of oversight for your specific project.

Yes. Asbestos emergencies – including building damage following cyclones, bushfires, or vehicle collisions that disturb ACMs – require rapid response to protect workers, emergency responders and the public. OHMS Hazmat maintains the capability to respond urgently to these situations, providing immediate risk assessment, air monitoring, containment advice and coordination of emergency licensed removal. We also have experience in the specific asbestos challenges posed by post-disaster environments, including the management of asbestos debris across large areas. See our Other Services page for more detail on our asbestos and natural disasters management service.