Asbestos-cement water pipe management guidelines released

Asbestos-Cement Water Pipe Management Guidelines Released

The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency has released new guidelines to help water and sewerage service providers control asbestos exposure risks during maintenance and removal of asbestos-cement pipes. This document gives the industry clear, practical direction for handling ageing infrastructure safely.

What the Guidelines Cover

The Asbestos-Cement Water and Sewer Pipe Management Guidelines provide practical advice on identifying, assessing, and controlling risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres under current WHS and environment protection laws. Utilities and contractors across the industry rely on this framework to maintain both worker safety and public health standards.

The information will assist contractors and other people responsible for removing, replacing or restoring asbestos-cement pipes in managing exposure risks. For organisations building broader compliance frameworks, an asbestos management plan can complement these guidelines by embedding site-specific controls into daily operations.

Managing Deteriorating and Decommissioned Pipes

Methods to safely remediate deteriorating AC pipes and manage decommissioned cement pipes that remain in the ground are also included in the agency's guidelines. Safety remains a central theme throughout, since deteriorating pipes can release fibres into surrounding soil and waterways if disturbed incorrectly.

Waste generated during removal or replacement work requires careful handling too, as improper waste disposal practices increase health risks for workers and nearby communities. The guidelines outline safety protocols for excavation, cutting, and disposal so industry professionals can protect both personnel and the public.

Why This Matters for the Water Industry

Many water supply networks across Australia still contain legacy asbestos-cement pipes installed decades ago. As these pipes age, safety-conscious maintenance becomes essential for protecting workers, contractors, and the health of surrounding communities.

Businesses managing similar legacy infrastructure risks in other industry settings may also find value in a broader Asbestos Management Plan template, which supports documented compliance across multiple sites. Those operating in automotive or industrial contexts can also review the Automotive Asbestos Management Plan for sector-specific guidance.

Building a Stronger Safety Culture

Strong risk management practices underpin every stage of asbestos-cement pipe handling, from initial assessment through to final disposal. Pairing these guidelines with a documented Risk Management Policy helps organisations formalise their approach and demonstrate due diligence to regulators.

Similar regulatory attention has been directed toward other high-risk materials recently; for example, our coverage of SafeWork SA's compliance focus on asbestos management highlights how state regulators continue tightening enforcement across the industry. Chemical exposure risks tied to pipe coatings and sealants may also warrant review through a dedicated chemical management plan.

Construction teams working near existing water infrastructure should also consult relevant construction management plans to ensure asbestos controls integrate properly with broader site safety procedures.

Download the Guidelines

Download the Asbestos-Cement Water and Sewer Pipe Management Guidelines document here. Readers interested in comparable international developments may also want to review our article on WorkSafe's updated asbestos guidelines for New Zealand workplaces, which reflects a similar industry-wide push toward safer asbestos management practices.