Frequently Asked Questions

You might consider having an asbestos inspection for several important reasons:

1. Safety and Health Protection: The primary and most crucial reason for an asbestos inspection is to ensure the safety and health of the occupants and workers in a building. Asbestos fibers, when released into the air due to damage or disturbance of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), can lead to serious health problems, including lung diseases and various forms of cancer. An inspection identifies and assesses the presence of ACMs, reducing the risk of asbestos exposure.
2. Legal Compliance: Many regions have strict regulations and guidelines regarding asbestos management and removal. Compliance is mandatory to avoid legal repercussions and penalties. An asbestos inspection is often a prerequisite to ensure that a property adheres to these regulations.
3. Property Transactions: If you are buying or selling a property, an asbestos inspection is often recommended. Knowing whether asbestos is present and its condition can impact property values and help facilitate a smooth and transparent transaction.
4. Renovations and Demolitions: Before undertaking any renovation or demolition work, it’s essential to determine if ACMs are present. Disrupting asbestos during construction can release dangerous fibers, so identifying and managing ACMs is crucial for the safety of workers and occupants.
5. Maintenance Planning: For property owners and managers, knowing the asbestos status of a building is essential for ongoing maintenance planning. It allows for the safe and proper maintenance of ACMs, preventing damage that could release fibers into the air.
6. Risk Mitigation: An asbestos inspection can help assess the condition of existing ACMs. This information is crucial for developing asbestos management plans to mitigate the risk of exposure and ensure safe handling or removal when necessary.
7. Peace of Mind: Even when there is no immediate plan for renovations or property transactions, an asbestos inspection can provide peace of mind, knowing that the building is asbestos-free or that ACMs are being properly managed.
8. Public and Occupational Health: For public and occupational buildings, such as schools, hospitals, and industrial facilities, asbestos inspections are essential to protect the health of students, patients, employees, and the community.
9. Verification of Past Work: If you have had asbestos removal or abatement work done in the past, an inspection can verify that the work was completed properly and that the area is safe.

Overall, an asbestos inspection is a proactive and responsible step to assess and manage the presence of asbestos in a property, ensuring safety, compliance with regulations, and the well-being of all individuals within or in contact with the building.

A workplace asbestos inspection is a thorough assessment of a commercial or industrial facility to identify, assess, and manage the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in compliance with safety regulations.

The specific process can vary depending on the size and complexity of the workplace, but it typically includes the following key elements:

1. Initial Assessment and Planning:
   • Identification of the scope of the inspection.
   • Review of historical records to identify potential ACMs or past asbestos work.
   • Establishment of an inspection team, if necessary, comprising certified asbestos assessors and relevant experts.
2. Site Visit and Visual Inspection:
   • A certified asbestos assessor conducts a comprehensive visual inspection of the workplace. Examination of building materials, insulation, pipes, ductwork, and other potential ACMs.
   • Documentation of the location, condition, and extent of identified ACMs.
3. Sample Collection and Analysis:
   • If visual inspection indicates the presence of ACMs, samples are collected for laboratory analysis.
   • Samples are typically collected using prescribed techniques and protective equipment.
   • The laboratory analysis confirms the presence of asbestos and provides information on asbestos type and content.
4. Risk Assessment:
   • Assessment of the risk associated with the identified ACMs, considering factors such as location, condition, and potential for disturbance.
   • Classification of ACMs as friable (easily crumbled) or non-friable (more solid and less likely to release fibres).
5. Report Preparation:
   • Compilation of an asbestos inspection report, which includes findings from the visual inspection, sample analysis results, risk assessments, and recommendations.
   • The report may include photographs, diagrams, and detailed descriptions of identified ACMs.
6. Asbestos Management Plan (AMP):
   • If ACMs are identified, the preparation of an asbestos management plan, which outlines strategies for safe management, maintenance, and, if necessary, removal of the materials.
   • The AMP details procedures for ongoing surveillance, labelling, and periodic re-inspections.
7. Air Monitoring (If Applicable):
   • In some cases, air monitoring may be conducted to assess airborne asbestos fibre levels during activities that could disturb ACMs, such as renovations or asbestos removal.
8. Communication:
   • Providing information to employees, contractors, and others who may come into contact with ACMs.
9. Regulatory Compliance:
   • Ensuring that all aspects of the inspection and any subsequent actions are in compliance with local, state, and federal asbestos regulations.
10. Regular Re-inspections:
    • Developing a schedule for periodic re-inspections as part of the ongoing asbestos management plan.

A workplace asbestos inspection is typically conducted by certified asbestos assessors with the expertise and experience required to identify and assess ACMs accurately. The findings and recommendations of the inspection are crucial for safeguarding the health and safety of employees, contractors and visitors to the workplace and for ensuring regulatory compliance.

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were widely used in various industries and construction applications due to their desirable physical properties. It’s composed of long, thin mineral fibers that are flexible, durable, and resistant to heat, fire, and many chemicals. Asbestos is known for its remarkable insulating and fire-resistant qualities, making it a popular material in the 20th century for a wide range of products and applications.

There are six primary types of asbestos minerals, each with its own distinct properties:

1. Chrysotile (white asbestos): The most common type of asbestos, chrysotile has curly, serpentine fibers and was frequently used in building materials, such as cement, roofing, and insulation.
2. Amosite (brown asbestos): This amphibole type of asbestos has straight, needle-like fibers. It was often used in insulation materials and cement products.
3. Crocidolite (blue asbestos): Crocidolite is another amphibole asbestos with fine, straight fibres. It was primarily used in the construction of steam engines, pipes, and insulation materials.
4. Anthophyllite: This type of asbestos is relatively rare and has long, brittle fibres. It was used in limited industrial applications.
5. Tremolite: Tremolite asbestos is found in some talc products, which are used in various consumer goods. It’s considered less common in industrial applications.
6. Actinolite: Actinolite asbestos is another relatively uncommon form that can occur in some building materials, insulation, and other products.

Despite its useful properties, asbestos is a well-known health hazard when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled. Prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can lead to serious health problems, including lung diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Due to these health risks, the use of asbestos has been heavily regulated or banned in many countries.

Asbestos-related diseases often develop after years of exposure, which is why safe handling, removal, and management of asbestos-containing materials are critical to protecting public health. Nowadays, asbestos is primarily associated with hazardous materials in older buildings and industrial sites, and it is subject to strict regulations to minimize exposure and ensure safe handling and disposal.