SA contractor stripped of asbestos licence

SA Contractor Stripped of Asbestos Licence Over Safety Breaches

SafeWork SA has stripped a South Australian asbestos removalist of their Class A licence for failing to safely remove asbestos from a residential premise. The licensed asbestos removal company was accused of exposing people to friable asbestos, contrary to section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA).

This suspension highlights the serious consequences facing any asbestos removal company that disregards health and safety obligations during demolition or removal work.

SafeWork SA's Response to the Breach

SafeWork SA Executive Director Martyn Campbell reminds South Australia businesses that a proactive compliance campaign on asbestos management remains underway, targeting demolition and removal services across the state.

"This repeated disregard for following asbestos regulations by a licenced asbestos removalist clearly shows a serious lack of judgment and cannot go without consequences."

"Asbestos licence holders must have a good understanding of the asbestos legislation and code of practices. An expectation exists amongst the community, including the business community, that engagement of a licence holder will give them some certainty that compliance with the legislation is being met."

"SafeWork SA's role is to ensure that the community can be confident in South Australia's asbestos licensing regime by taking action to cancel or suspend an asbestos removal licence where there is evidence a removalist has not demonstrated safe and competent asbestos removal practices," said Mr Campbell.

Why Licensing Compliance Matters for Hazardous Materials Handling

Removing asbestos safely demands strict adherence to health protocols, since friable asbestos fibres pose severe risks when disturbed during demolition. Any licensed asbestos removal company handling hazardous materials must apply rigorous controls to protect both workers and the surrounding community.

South Australia's licensing regime exists precisely because hazardous substances like asbestos require specialised handling. Businesses offering demolition or removal services can strengthen their compliance position by using SafetyDocs' asbestos management plans, which support safe work practices across residential and commercial sites alike.

Key Takeaways for Contractors Offering Removal Services

• Class A and Class B licence holders remain accountable for every demolition project undertaken, regardless of scale.
• Health outcomes for occupants and tradespeople depend heavily on correct handling of friable materials.
• SafeWork SA actively audits removal services statewide, so maintaining verifiable safety resources is essential for licence retention.
• Companies providing asbestos removal services should regularly review their internal safety documentation against current codes of practice.

Strengthening Compliance Across Removal Services

Contractors offering asbestos removal services need consistent access to updated resources that reflect current legislative requirements. SafetyDocs offers a range of templates supporting contractor management practices, helping businesses demonstrate due diligence when engaging subcontractors for hazardous work.

For related coverage on licensing enforcement actions in this sector, read our reports on SafeWork SA cancelling a class A asbestos removal licence and the campaign against asbestos resulting in licence revocation for an SA firm.

Originally published on the SafeWork SA website.