What is a Licensed Asbestos Assessor?

During the property purchase process, it’s relatively common to employ the services of inspectors to look at:

·      Electrical

·      Pest

·      Building

·      Pool

·      Strata Records

but have you ever considered an asbestos assessor?

We liaised with Stephen Challinor from Engage Environmental Services to get a little more information about asbestos and what an assessor can do for you.

Asbestos has been used widely in the building industry since the 1940’s, ceased production in Australian building products the 1980’s and formally banned from use in the 1990’s. Buildings constructed or renovated in these eras have a high probability of containing asbestos. 

Asbestos is present in two configurations in building products. 

The primary type is in bonded form, commonly referred to as Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).

The second configuration is friable form.  Friable Asbestos (FA) material by nature poses an extreme health risk.

Asbestos exposure, both personal and to the environment, is covered generally by the requirements of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commissions Code of Practice and Guidance Notes:

•             How to Safely Remove Asbestos, Code of Practice (SafeWork NSW 2018); and,

•             How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice (SafeWork Australia, 2018)

Generally, as a condition of consent from a Council for a DA there will be a Condition asking for pre-demolition or pre-renovation Asbestos Materials Report (Hazardous Material Report).

Costs can change dramatically if asbestos is found and required to be removed. Heading into a renovation it is a good idea to understand if asbestos or other hazardous materials are present.

While asbestos may be present in a large portion of homes it is usually painted and sealed and doesn’t pose a risk unless it becomes disturbed or broken.

Commercial properties according the regulations are required to have an Asbestos (Hazardous) Materials Risk Register and have it updated every five years, this details where, extent and the condition of the ACM.

While it is common place for building and pest inspector to identify potential asbestos building products in a building, generally they are not necessarily specifically trained to inspect, test and interpret results for asbestos materials.

Licensed Asbestos Assessors provide the inspection, sampling/analysis and interpretation of results – leading to a report including a risk register that also comprises non-detections as well.

A non-detection is as beneficial as a detection.

A Licensed Asbestos Removalist is required to remove asbestos greater than 10m2, and the assessor inspects to ensure they have completed their job effectively. They then issue a Clearance Certificate when happy with the removalists job.

Assessors can also conduct asbestos air monitoring (ambient air pumps and cowls, with testing at a NATA accredited lab) to ensure the worksite is safe for workers and also for neighbours/ homeowners.

If you have further questions on asbestos assessors, feel free to get in touch with Stephen on 0478 362 005 or email stephen.challinor@engage-es.com.au

If you have any questions about your purchase or sale, contact me via leah@stevensconveyancing.com.au or call 0414 894 031 to discuss.

Please note that the information contained in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute legal advice. Stevens Conveyancing does not take responsibility for any errors or omissions obtained from the use of this information.