Classed as friable since May 2021
Queensland law has treated LDB as friable in all circumstances since May 2021. Only a Class A licence holder can remove it.
Asbestos ceiling removal at Lockyer District State High School
In late 2022, QBuild engaged Burke Industries to remove low density asbestos board (LDB) from Block C at Lockyer District State High School in Gatton and reinstate the block. LDB has been classed as friable in Queensland since May 2021, so the work needed a Class A licence and independent air monitoring.
Project summary
- Client
- Queensland Government: QBuild, for a Department of Education school
- Location
- Lockyer District State High School, 100 William Street, Gatton
- Scope
- Low density asbestos board (LDB) removal and reinstatement to Block C
- Awarded
- 29 November 2022
- Licences used
- Class A asbestos removal licence (WHSQ)
- Asbestos type
- Friable (LDB)
- Contract value
- $492,800
Friable asbestos ceilings in a school block
Low density board was made from the 1950s to the 1970s and used for walls and ceilings. It was favoured for acoustic ceilings in busy buildings such as schools.
Independent monitoring is mandatory
Friable removal needs air monitoring by an independent licensed asbestos assessor immediately before and during the work.
The block had to go back into use
The scope covered reinstating Block C after removal, not just taking the ceilings out, so the block could return to service.
Class A removal, then reinstatement
LDB removal is Class A licensed work under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, which sets the sequence.
Plan and notify
An asbestos removal control plan is prepared, and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is notified in writing at least five days before removal starts.
Remove under Class A controls
The LDB is removed under a nominated supervisor, with an independent licensed asbestos assessor monitoring the air before and during the work.
Clearance
The licensed assessor inspects the area and issues a clearance certificate before it is reoccupied or rebuilt.
Reinstate Block C
With clearance issued, the block is reinstated under the same contract, so the school deals with one contractor from removal to handback.
The numbers
- $492,800
- contract for LDB removal and reinstatement, Block C
- Class A
- friable removal under Queensland's post-2021 LDB rules
- 4
- further LDB school contracts for QBuild in 2023, at Chinchilla, Killarney, Laidley and Mount Sylvia
Lockyer District SHS was one of a run of LDB jobs Burke delivered for QBuild across Darling Downs and Lockyer schools in 2022 and 2023. They include Chinchilla State High School's administration ceiling ($351,780), two blocks at Killarney State School ($248,050) and a combined contract at Laidley and Mount Sylvia state schools ($197,552).
Services used on this project
Asbestos in a school or public building?
Send us the asbestos register and the blocks involved. We'll plan the removal, independent monitoring, clearance and reinstatement as one program.
Sources
- Queensland Government open data portal. “Lackyer [sic] District State High School, WO/7750035, LDB removal and reinstatement to Block C”, awarded 29 Nov 2022, $492,800, supplier Burke Industries Pty Ltd — Department of Energy and Public Works contract disclosure 2022-23 (resource 44d47ce3-5149-40f7-825c-f2e9317f82d5)
- Department of Energy and Public Works contract disclosure (same dataset and resource). Chinchilla SHS ($351,780, 2 May 2023), Killarney SS ($248,050, 15 May 2023), and Laidley SS and Mount Sylvia SS ($197,552.30, 21 Jun 2023) LDB contracts — same dataset and resource
- Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency: LDB product guide. LDB classed as friable in all circumstances under Queensland law since May 2021; made 1950s–1970s; used for ceilings, including acoustic ceilings in schools
- WorkSafe Queensland asbestos licence registers. Class A licence scope
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld). Control plans, five-day notice, air monitoring by an independent licensed assessor, and clearance
- WorkSafe Queensland: asbestos notifications. Control plans, five-day notice, air monitoring by an independent licensed assessor, and clearance
- Lockyer District State High School. School address, 100 William Street, Gatton