Work area access permit

Staff, contractors and consultants involved with capital works, alterations and maintenance that may involve or have the potential to disturb hazardous materials, including asbestos, on University sites, must obtain and complete the Work area access permit before proceeding with work. This permit forms part of the job request.

The purpose of this permit is to ensure these hazardous materials are not disturbed or in the case of demolitions, removals or other works where disturbance is necessary, that the work is undertaken under the required controlled conditions.

The University Asbestos Materials Register must be referenced as part of this process. To access the register, contact Client services on 6488 2025.

Contractor safety management

Contractors, subcontractors and their workers must comply with the following policy and processes.

Determining workplace health and safety management requirements

• Contractor workplace health and safety requirements will be established at the Tender Stage and confirmed at the commencement of contract through either a workplace health and safety gap analysis or by way of project start-up meetings.

Prior to contractors commencing work

• Contractor workplace health and safety management will be in accordance with legislative requirements, comparable with the scope of works and the level of risk involved. The contractor will be notified of all site inspections regime and incident management requirements at the commencement of the contract.
• The University’s Workplace Health and Safety Policy and Contractor Safety Management Procedures must be followed at all times.
• Have completed the University's contractor safety induction prior to commencing work on any University site.
• If work involves hot-works or entry into confined spaces, have completed the Contractor permit to work, Hot works permit and Entry into confined spaces permit.

Ongoing contractor requirements

• Campus Management is responsible for monitoring contractor safety management as part of the project life-cycle and operational controls.

Back to top

Managing asbestos and other hazardous materials

• Before undertaking capital/minor works or alterations to UWA buildings, all staff, consultants and contractors must access the UWA Asbestos Materials Register. A copy is available by contacting Client services on 6488 2025. 
• A Work area access permit must be completed for any works/alterations that have the potential to disturb hazardous materials.
• All works or alterations to buildings that have a medium-to-very-high risk of disturbing hazardous materials will be required to be undertaken in accordance with the Asbestos Management Procedure and will require a Risk Management Plan to be developed by an accredited consultant (an asbestos assessor) and/or licensed hazardous materials contractor (an asbestos removalist).
• In the case where asbestos containing materials have been disturbed, damaged or are deteriorating, the Asbestos Emergency Response Process must be followed.
• Campus Management will fund the costs incurred for monitoring, testing, management and removal of asbestos during maintenance work. If during construction works, costs will be awarded to the project.
• Staff who are concerned that asbestos or other hazardous material has been disturbed should make a report to the Campus Management Safety Officer to arrange monitoring, testing and remediation works.
• Anyone who believes they have been exposed to asbestos fibres can request to have their details entered on the UWA Health Monitoring Record by contacting UWA Safety and Health

Back to top

Overhead powerlines brochure [PDF, 212.6 KB]
Updated 10 Jul 2017