What is an Asbestos Management Plan?
An Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) is the next step after an asbestos register has been completed.
Once a property has been inspected and tested, and an asbestos register has been created, the next question is: how is this asbestos going to be managed safely over time? That’s exactly what the management plan is for.
The asbestos register identifies where asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are located in the building, what condition they are in, and whether they are likely to pose a risk. From there, the Code of Practice: How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace, supported by WorkSafe WA, requires that a management plan is put in place where asbestos is present and being managed in situ.
The Asbestos Management Plan turns that information into action. It sets out how the asbestos will actually be controlled in day-to-day operations and during future works.
At a minimum, the plan includes:
- A clear link back to the asbestos register, including where asbestos is located and how it is labelled or signposted
- The decisions made about each ACM (for example: leave in place, monitor, or remove) and the reasons behind those decisions
- Safe work procedures to prevent asbestos being disturbed during maintenance, repairs, or refurbishment
- How incidents, accidents, or emergency situations involving asbestos will be managed
- Rules for workers and contractors who may be working in or around areas where asbestos is present
In many cases, especially where asbestos is in poor condition or will be impacted by future works, the plan will also outline remediation timeframes, responsibilities, and communication processes between property owners, tenants, and contractors.
The key point is that the management plan is not created in isolation - it directly follows the register. Once you know where asbestos is, the plan defines what happens next.
It is also not a “set and forget” document. The Code of Practice requires it to be reviewed whenever asbestos is removed, disturbed, or when building conditions change. Without updates, even a well-prepared plan can quickly become outdated.
In practical terms, the asbestos register tells you what’s there. The management plan tells you how to safely live and work with it - or when it needs to be removed.
If ACMs require remediation, the plan becomes even more important, as it guides how removal is planned, controlled, and communicated to everyone involved.