Asbestos removal - licence cancellation by WorkSafe

Extract from Hansard

4254. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Commerce

I refer to persons involved in removing non-friable asbestos holding a demolitions license issued prior to March 2010 or to persons holding a restricted license for the removal of asbestos in accordance with the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Code of Practice For the Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002 (2005)] and ask —

(1) Has WorkSafe ever cancelled any of these licenses?

(2) If yes to (1), please specify how many licenses have been cancelled and the reasons for cancellation?

(3) How many complaints has WorkSafe received regarding holders of these licenses for asbestos removal in each of the years —

     (a) 2005;

     (b) 2006;

     (c) 2007;

     (d) 2008;

     (e) 2009; and

     (f) 2010?

(4) Please specify the circumstances under which WorkSafe would cancel the license of a person or builder involved in the removal of asbestos?

Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied:

(1) No

(2) Not applicable

(3) The WorkSafe computer system does not allow for a report to be generated based on the parameters requested. It would require a manual examination of each licence holder’s record in each year to determine a response which would tie up considerable Government resources. If the Member has specific concerns about identifiable contactors the Minister would be happy to receive further questions.

(4) An Asbestos removalist license may be cancelled or suspended by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner if the license holder is convicted of an offence under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (the OSH Act) or the Occupational Safety and health Regulations (the OSH regulations) or if, in the opinion of the Commissioner, the license holder breaches a condition of the licence or is unable to comply with a condition of the licence or a provision of the OSH Act or the OSH regulations.