I completed an Asbestos Clearance Inspection yesterday on a property I’d previously quoted for a Pre‑Demolition Survey. The client had declined the survey to save on upfront costs, and the removalist had quoted from photos only, with no sampling or testing. During the clearance I confirmed that the walls below the picture rail were Masonite — that represented 60% of the internal wall area.

The numbers that matter:

•             Typical removal cost (100 m² to 180m2 house): ~$20,000.

•             Potential reduction if 60% is non‑asbestos: $12,000 saved.

•             Cost of a Pre‑Demolition Survey: $400–$800.

Spending a few hundred dollars on accurate sampling and a proper scope can deliver a very large return on investment and avoid over‑quoting, mitigate delays, and unnecessary disruption.

Practical takeaway

A Pre‑Demolition Survey protects your budget and gives you confidence in removalists quotes.

If you’d like a short checklist for what to ask contractors or what a survey should include, send me a message or connect — happy to share practical guidance.

Asbestos Roof Myth-Busting: Hidden Risks in Aging Roofs

I recently heard the comment from a building manager that had a (circa) 50-year-old ACM roof - “Asbestos roofs are fine as long as you don’t touch them.”

In reality, many of these roofs have long surpassed their 25-year service life and are now in an advanced state of decay. Refer to the image below of the roof in question. 🤔

Why "If You Don't Touch It" Isn't Enough

• Weathering over decades (UV, wind, rain, hail) causes this bonded material to break down and for micro-fractures to form, releasing fibres.

• Routine maintenance or roof movement can release invisible asbestos fibres, as it is walked on, drilled into etc...

• Visual inspections alone can miss hidden damage, particularly when undertake by persons not competent to do these works.

  Smart & Compliant Practices.

• Schedule regular, comprehensive inspections, by a competent person.

• Develop a safe removal plan well before roof failure.

• Consider encapsulation as a temporary measure if removal isn't feasible right now.

  These steps not only protect occupants and maintenance personnel but also keep you aligned with Regulations, WorkSafe's guidance and the Asbestos and Silica Safety & Eradication (ASEA) recommendations.

  What's the oldest roof you have encountered? I'd love to hear your experiences and lessons learnt, with how it was managed/removed/encapsulated.

  For more information on asbestos management follow the links below to see how WorkSafe and ASEA are trying to educate and eradicate asbestos roofs.....the numbers are staggering!

  https://lnkd.in/gUiZsu8J

  https://lnkd.in/guR2zbYe...

  https://lnkd.in/gmHWpFQE

• #asbestosroofs, #asbestosregisters, #asbestosmanagementplans, #asbestoseradication, #asbestosencapsulating, #buildingmaintenance #Pre-Purchase Asbestos Survey

I was bailed up the other day by a very cocky asbestos removal subcontractor about my lack of knowledge on the Asbestos Gun and he was just not interested in what I had to say...so here are a few words.

These guns have not been approved for use in Australia or any country around the world.

The work health and safety alert regarding the use of near infrared (NIR) handheld analysers for identifying asbestos-containing materials (ACM) was first released on October 10, 2019. They are still not approved for use in Australia today.

The primary risk of relying on NIR ("asbestos guns") for identifying asbestos-containing materials is that the technology lacks the scientific validation and regulatory approval needed for accurate detection.

The use of NIR analysers does not meet the requirements of work health and safety legislation. Their unverified accuracy means that relying on them might lead companies to unknowingly breach compliance standards designed to protect workers and the general public.

There is very limited peer-reviewed scientific literature corroborating the efficacy of NIR spectroscopy in unequivocally identifying asbestos across the diverse range of materials in which asbestos might be encountered. This scientific uncertainty adds to the risk: without robust evidence, the reliability of the measurements remains questionable, leaving workplaces with a method that might provide misleading results.

The use of NIR asbestos guns can lead to both under-identification and over-identification of asbestos-containing materials, each carrying its own set of health, financial, and legal risks.

Please reach out if you have any queries or concerns.

Brisbane City Council recycles kerbside bin waste into mulch, but if asbestos-containing materials are included, they contaminate the mulch, which is then distributed to parks, schools, and homes throughout the city.

For many, asbestos-related diseases take 20 to 30 years to develop, or even as little as 10 years. If your child is 10 now, they could face serious health risks in the prime of their life.

The council processes around 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes of green waste annually. Is it solely their responsibility to check for contamination?

Despite its link to cancers like mesothelioma, global asbestos consumption remains around 2 million metric tons annually.

Countries such as the US, Russia, China, Brazil, and India primarily use it in building materials like asbestos-cement sheets.

In 2024, Australia imported building materials worth $46M from the US, $358M from China, $2.2M from Russia, $19M from India, and $14M from Brazil.

The Australian Border Force monitors and inspects high-risk items from asbestos-producing countries, imposing penalties up to $222,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for corporations, along with goods seizure and legal action.

The cement sheet manufacturing industry typically sees profit margins between 5% to 20%.

The 2024-25 National Asbestos Awareness Campaign emphasizes the importance of being cautious when undertaking DIY projects.

Before starting any renovation, even something as simple as drilling a hole to hang a picture, it's crucial to ask if your house was built or renovated before 1990. If the answer is yes, there's a high chance it contains asbestos.

Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases globally, with an estimated 4000 deaths annually, which is more than double the national road toll. To ensure the safety of you and your family, it's recommended to get your home inspected and tested for asbestos before starting any renovation work. This process is quick and affordable.

The answer is - An asbestos assessor plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and compliance when managing and removing asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

They work in many varied & different sectors including but not limited to residential, commercial, industrial, mining, environmental, insurance and legal.

An asbestos assessor helps homeowners stay compliant with the law, identify and manage and/or remove any ACMs in a safe, compliant and efficient manner. They can also ensure that the homeowner engages with an appropriately licenced, experienced and insured asbestos removalists. Their typical services include:

1.       Pre-Purchase Asbestos Inspections: Conduct a thorough asbestos survey prior to purchasing a property including sampling, NATA accredited testing and assessing the condition of ACMs. This is typically undertaken in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, roofs, ceilings, insulation, flooring. This enables the buyer to better understand the safety and cost implications of purchasing, renovating and occupying the property.

2.       Provide expert independent advice: Advising homeowners looking to renovate and prospective buyers on the best course of action, whether that's leaving the ACMs undisturbed, encapsulating, or arranging for professional removal.

3.       Assist with renovations or demolition: Helping homeowners meet legal requirements by identifying asbestos risks before work begins, understanding cost implications, engaging suitably qualified, experienced and insured removalists.

4.       Issuing Clearance Certificates: Certifying that areas are safe after asbestos removal. As a minimum this involves a site inspection and can sometimes involve air-monitoring.

In some situations, it is a regulatory requirement for them to be independent from the asbestos removalists and in other situations it is not. It is always recommended that they are independent for your peace of mind.

The costs to engage an Independent Asbestos Assessor are typically saved by ensuring the management and/or removal of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) is undertaken in a compliant, safe and efficient manner and will better mitigate the health risks.