Asbestos Audits

Why do I need an Asbestos Audit?

Asbestos legislation throughout Australia identifies and seeks to minimise the health risks associated with asbestos containing materials in the workplace.

Asbestos legislation requires that all workplaces in NSW built before December 31st 2003 have an asbestos audit undertaken and an asbestos register compiled for all asbestos containing materials (ACM) at the workplace.

The Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) or persons in control of a workplace are required to have an asbestos audit and asbestos register for a workplace and ensure that the asbestos register is available upon request to staff, visitors and contractors.

The PCBU is required to keep the asbestos audit and asbestos register up to date and the workplace reinspected at a minimum every 5 years. A revision is also required upon completion of any asbestos removal works or if ACM’s are disturbed. A revision of the asbestos register should be undertaken by a SafeWork NSW Licenced Asbestos Assessor.

Prior to any renovation or demolition works being undertaken at a workplace the PCBU must ensure that ACM’s that may be disturbed as a result of the renovation or demolition works are removed prior to works being undertaken.

What does an Asbestos Audit include?

• A visual inspection of all accessible areas of the building or workplace
• Collection and laboratory analysis of material samples to determine the presence of asbestos fibres
• Laboratory analysis of material samples at an independent NATA-accredited laboratory
• An asbestos audit report and asbestos register outlining the location, condition and extent of all identified ACM’s. A risk rating is assigned to all identified ACM’s.
• Recommendations on the management of identified ACM’s
• An Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) to assist PCBU’s with ongoing management of ACM’s identified at the workplace