Naturally occurring asbestos

Asbestos minerals are commonly found around the world in certain types of rock and soils including:

• serpentine (chrysotile [white])
• amphibole (actinolite, amosite [brown]
• anthophyllite, crocidolite [blue] and tremolite

If naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) is identified or likely to be present at a workplace the person with management or control of a workplace must manage risks to health and safety associated with NOA.

A person with management or control of the workplace must ensure that a written plan (an asbestos management plan) for the workplace is prepared in relation to the NOA.

An asbestos management plan must include information relating to the following:

• the identification of NOA
• decisions, and reasons for decisions, about the management of NOA at the workplace (e.g. safe work procedures and control measures)
• procedures for detailing incidents or emergencies involving NOA at the workplace
• workers carrying out work involving NOA (e.g. consultation, responsibilities, information and training).

A person with management or control of a workplace must ensure that:

• a copy of the asbestos management plan is readily accessible
• the plan is maintained to ensure the information is up to date, and reviewed and as necessary revised if the plan is no longer adequate to manage the risk
• training is provided to workers.

For further information on managing NOA refer to section 5.1 of How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 (PDF 1.1 MB).