Low Density Asbestos Fire Board Classified as Friable from 1 May 2021

18 March 2021

From 1 May 2021, low density asbestos fibre board (LDB), also known as asbestos insulating board, will be classified as a friable material in all circumstances. This means LDB can only legally be removed by a class A asbestos removal licence holder.

If you’re a class B asbestos removal licence holder and want to be able to remove LDB after 1 May 2021, you will need to apply to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for a class A asbestos removal licence.

These changes will also affect businesses and tradespeople who carry out maintenance and service work involving LDB installed in buildings and plant or equipment prior to 31 December 2003. Carrying out work involving LDB will be prohibited unless the task is one of the following and the work is done in the way specified by a regulator-approved method:

• Minor repairs and minor damage to low density asbestos fibre board
• Painting undamaged low density asbestos fibre board
• Drilling holes up to 30mm in diameter into low density asbestos fibre board
• Temporarily moving a low density asbestos fibre board ceiling tile
• Installing or removing fixtures or fittings to low density asbestos fibre board

Copies of these approved work method statements can be found on the Worksafe Queensland website.

All workers performing these tasks must be trained in how to identify and safely handle asbestos-containing materials and how to do the work safely, including the five approved work method statements. The training must cover prescribed performance criteria as outlined by Worksafe Queensland, and must be recorded on an approved training record form. Information on the training requirements and approved training record form can also be found on the Worksafe Queensland website.