Achieving consistency in asbestos identification and assessment
ASEA is developing a National Guide for Asbestos Surveys to address the need for a robust and consistent standard for conducting asbestos inspections or surveys in the built environment, including in residential and non-residential premises. The Guide will be the first of its kind for Australia. It will provide comprehensive information on the steps involved in identifying the presence and location of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and assessing the risk that the ACMs present, so that effective actions can be taken to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.
Without a standardised process, asbestos surveys conducted by individual practitioners yield different outcomes, depending on levels of training, observation, approach and perception of risk. Private companies using proprietary asbestos management systems also produce varying results that are not easily comparable with one another. This can lead to ineffective management of asbestos containing materials (ACMs), particularly where risk-based decisions are needed.
The Guide will help improve the quality of asbestos registers and management plans and ensure that terminology used to describe ACMs is consistent and commonly understood. It will be a useful reference not only for asbestos surveyors, but also for persons responsible for managing ACMs, building professionals, workers who carry out work in or on buildings that may contain ACMs and persons who design software for asbestos management systems.
Get involved
The Guide is currently being developed in collaboration with a working group consisting of asbestos professionals, industry associations, regulatory authorities and worker representatives. Keep an eye out as a draft will be released for public comment soon, providing an opportunity for anyone with expertise in conducting asbestos surveys or those interested in improving asbestos management to contribute to its development.
