Environmental remediation
Asbestos identification, management, removal & reinstatement
Asbestos remains present in many Queensland properties, particularly buildings constructed or renovated before 1990. Finding it does not automatically mean a crisis — but knowing what the material is before you disturb it matters.
Why Asbestos Is Still Here
Asbestos was widely used throughout Australian residential, commercial and industrial buildings because it was strong, inexpensive and resistant to heat and fire.
It remains present in many Queensland properties, particularly buildings constructed or renovated before 1990.
The presence of asbestos does not automatically mean a property is dangerous. The primary risk occurs when asbestos-containing material is damaged, deteriorated or disturbed and microscopic fibres become airborne.
Health Risks
Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres is associated with serious diseases including:
- Asbestosis
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Other asbestos-related lung and pleural diseases
These illnesses may develop decades after exposure. For this reason, suspected asbestos should be identified before demolition, renovation or other intrusive work begins.
The Two Types You Will Hear About
Non-Friable Asbestos
Non-friable asbestos, commonly called bonded asbestos, has asbestos fibres firmly bound into another material such as cement. Common examples include:
- External fibro wall sheeting
- Eaves and soffits
- Gables
- Corrugated roofing
- Sheds and garages
- Fencing
- Bathroom and laundry wall sheeting
- Kitchen and wet-area linings
- Vinyl flooring and some backing materials
- Pipes and flues
- Meter boxes and electrical backing panels
- Commercial roof and wall cladding
When these materials remain intact and undisturbed, the fibres are generally held within the product. The potential for fibre release increases when the material is damaged, weathered or mechanically disturbed.
Friable Asbestos
Friable asbestos is material that, when dry, can generally be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Examples may include:
- Pipe insulation
- Boiler insulation
- Thermal insulation
- Sprayed fireproofing
- Acoustic coatings
- Some low-density asbestos fibre boards
- Some older insulation products
- Severely deteriorated asbestos-containing materials
Friable asbestos presents a greater potential for fibre release and requires more stringent controls. Removal of friable asbestos must be undertaken under the appropriate Class A asbestos removal licence.
Common Locations in Homes
Asbestos may be present in:
- External cladding
- Eaves
- Roofs
- Fences
- Garages and sheds
- Bathrooms, laundries and kitchens
- Wall and ceiling sheeting
- Vinyl and linoleum flooring, and floor backing products
- Pipes and flues
- Heater and hot-water components
- Electrical meter and switchboard panels
Asbestos generally cannot be positively identified by appearance alone. Where confirmation is required, representative material can be sampled and analysed by an appropriate laboratory.
Common Locations in Commercial Properties
Commercial and industrial properties may also contain asbestos in:
- Roof and wall cladding
- Warehouses, factories and workshops
- Plant rooms and boiler rooms
- Pipe insulation and thermal insulation
- Acoustic materials
- Fire-resistant products
- Vinyl flooring
- Ceiling panels
- Electrical switchboards
- Machinery components, gaskets and seals
- Older amenities buildings
Commercial properties may also have obligations relating to asbestos registers and asbestos management plans.
Queensland Asbestos Requirements
Asbestos work in Queensland is regulated under legislation including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, and public-health requirements applying to asbestos work outside workplaces.
For workplace asbestos removal:
- More than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos generally requires a Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence.
- Friable asbestos removal requires a Class A asbestos removal licence.
- Smaller quantities of non-friable asbestos still require appropriate risk controls and safe work practices.
Different requirements apply to homeowners undertaking asbestos work in non-workplace areas. Professional removal is generally the safest option where significant quantities, damaged materials, roofing, difficult access or friable asbestos are involved.
High-Risk Activities
Asbestos-containing materials should not be casually:
- Cut
- Drilled
- Sanded
- Ground
- Sawed
- Broken
- Pressure-cleaned
- Abrasively blasted
- Cleaned using compressed air
Your Options
Finding asbestos does not automatically mean it must be removed immediately. Depending on the material and its condition, options may include:
Leave and Manage
Intact asbestos that is protected from damage and unlikely to be disturbed may sometimes remain in place.
Encapsulation
Some bonded asbestos materials may be appropriately sealed or encapsulated.
Testing
Suspected materials can be sampled and laboratory tested before renovation, demolition or maintenance begins.
Removal
Removal may be appropriate where asbestos is damaged, deteriorated, exposed or likely to be disturbed.
Commercial Asbestos Management
Businesses may require asbestos identification, asbestos registers, management plans or further investigation before refurbishment or demolition.
Professional Removal and Remediation
A professional asbestos project may include:
- Site assessment.
- Identification of suspected asbestos.
- Laboratory testing where required.
- Preparation of the removal scope.
- Establishment of controlled work areas.
- Appropriate PPE and fibre-control measures.
- Controlled asbestos removal.
- Packaging and lawful waste management.
- Required clearance procedures.
- Reinstatement of removed building materials.
Removal Through to Completed Restoration
One of the major advantages of our service is that the project does not need to stop once the asbestos has been removed. We have qualified carpenters on staff who can complete associated remediation and reinstatement works.
Depending on the project, this may include replacing:
- Wall sheeting
- Ceilings
- Eaves and soffits
- External cladding
- Flooring
- Internal linings
- Framing components
- Other building materials removed during the asbestos works
This allows the asbestos removal and subsequent building remediation to be managed as one coordinated project rather than leaving the owner with an open wall, damaged ceiling or incomplete area and the responsibility of finding another trade.
Asbestos Waste
Asbestos waste must be appropriately contained, transported and disposed of through an authorised waste pathway. It should not be placed into ordinary household rubbish or general construction waste.
The Simple Rule
We provide assessment, testing coordination, asbestos management, controlled removal, lawful waste management and complete building reinstatement using our qualified carpentry team.
Common Questions
Can I tell if it is asbestos just by looking?
Generally no. Asbestos and non-asbestos sheeting from the same era can look identical. Laboratory analysis of a representative sample is the reliable way to confirm it.
Do I have to remove asbestos if I find it?
Not necessarily. Material in good condition, protected from damage and unlikely to be disturbed can sometimes be left in place and managed. Removal becomes appropriate when it is damaged, deteriorated, exposed or in the way of work you want to do.
Is it safe to keep living in the house during removal?
It depends on the location, type and scope. Small external jobs often carry on around you. Larger or friable work usually means vacating the affected area. We will tell you honestly which one applies before we start.
What does it cost?
It depends on the type of material, how much there is, how accessible it is, and whether you want the area reinstated afterwards. That is exactly what our quote form asks, so we can give you a real number rather than a guess.
What paperwork do I get?
Waste disposal documentation, and clearance documentation where the scope requires it. Keep both — they matter when you sell, insure or renovate.