The Mid North Coast Safety Handbook – Edition 5
The Renovation Trap: What You Need to Know About Asbestos Before You Start Work
"We'll only be drilling one hole."
"It's just an old fibro sheet."
"We're only doing a small renovation."
"If there was asbestos here, someone would have told us."
These are the kinds of assumptions that can turn an ordinary maintenance or renovation job into an asbestos exposure incident.
Asbestos was widely used in Australian construction for decades. It can still be found in older homes, commercial buildings, industrial sites and infrastructure across the Mid North Coast.
And the problem isn't necessarily the asbestos-containing material sitting quietly in a wall, roof or floor.
The risk increases when someone cuts it, drills it, breaks it, sands it, grinds it or otherwise disturbs it and releases fibres into the air.
Welcome to Edition 5 of The Mid North Coast Safety Handbook.
This time, we're looking at asbestos — where it can be found, why renovation and maintenance work can create unexpected risks, and what businesses and workers should consider before disturbing older building materials.
Asbestos Didn't Disappear When Its Use Was Banned
Australia's use of asbestos ended progressively, with the final prohibition on the manufacture and use of asbestos products taking effect in 2003.
But buildings don't disappear when a product is banned.
Older asbestos-containing materials can remain in place for decades.
SafeWork NSW notes that asbestos may be found in buildings constructed before the early 2000s, with common locations including roofs, ceilings, walls, bathrooms, kitchens and flooring. Older buildings are particularly likely to contain asbestos-containing materials. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
That means asbestos isn't simply an "old house problem".
It can be encountered by:
Builders
Electricians
Plumbers
Roofers
Carpenters
Tilers
Painters
Demolition workers
Maintenance workers
Air-conditioning technicians
Landscapers
Labourers
Property managers
Facility maintenance teams
And sometimes the person who discovers it isn't an asbestos specialist at all.
They're simply the person who was asked to fix something.
The Renovation Trap
Renovation work is where asbestos can become particularly deceptive.
A job may start with something that sounds simple:
"Replace the bathroom."
Then someone removes a wall.
A sheet is drilled.
A ceiling is opened.
An old vinyl floor is lifted.
A penetration is cut.
A roof is repaired.
A worker discovers an unfamiliar backing board.
Suddenly, the job is no longer just a renovation.
There may be asbestos involved.
The problem is that once the material has been disturbed, the opportunity to prevent exposure may already have been lost.
That's why asbestos should be considered before the first tool is switched on.
You Don't Have to Know It's Asbestos Before You Treat It as a Risk
One of the most important principles when working around older buildings is simple:
If you suspect a material may contain asbestos, don't disturb it until it has been appropriately assessed.
SafeWork NSW advises that if you think a material is asbestos, you should treat it as asbestos and seek assistance from a licensed asbestos professional. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
You don't need to become an asbestos laboratory.
And workers shouldn't be expected to identify asbestos simply by looking at it.
Some asbestos-containing materials can look very similar to non-asbestos products.
The safer approach is to identify the risk before the material is disturbed.
Where Could You Find Asbestos?
The list is longer than many people realise.
Depending on the age and construction of a building, asbestos-containing materials may have been used in:
Roofing
Corrugated roof sheets
Roof capping
Eaves
Guttering and associated components
Walls and ceilings
Fibro cement sheets
Wall linings
Ceiling panels
Internal partitions
Bathrooms
Wall and ceiling linings
Flooring
Shower areas
Backing materials
Kitchens
Wall sheeting
Flooring
Splashbacks
Cabinet components
Flooring
Vinyl tiles
Vinyl sheet flooring
Underlay and backing materials
Adhesives
Other locations
Electrical switchboards
Pipes and lagging
Flues
Gaskets
Fire-resistant materials
Plant and machinery components
SafeWork NSW's asbestos information identifies a wide range of building products and locations where asbestos may be encountered. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
And that's exactly why assumptions can be dangerous.
Friable and Non-Friable: What's the Difference?
You may have heard the terms friable and non-friable asbestos.
Understanding the difference matters.
Non-friable asbestos
Often referred to as bonded asbestos, this is asbestos-containing material where fibres are bound within a bonding material.
Asbestos cement sheeting is a common example.
When it remains intact and in good condition, the risk of fibre release can be relatively low.
But that changes when the material is damaged or disturbed.
Cutting, drilling, breaking, grinding or otherwise working on it can release fibres.
Friable asbestos
Friable asbestos is material that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry.
Because it can release fibres more readily, it presents a particularly serious risk.
SafeWork NSW requires licensed asbestos professionals for friable asbestos removal and for removal of more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
The important message for workers is:
Don't decide that something is safe simply because it looks solid.
"It's Less Than 10 Square Metres — So We're Fine."
This is another common misunderstanding.
NSW does allow limited unlicensed removal of 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos in certain circumstances.
But that does not mean:
"Under 10 square metres means no rules apply."
SafeWork NSW states that if unlicensed removal is undertaken, workers must receive asbestos awareness training, be informed of the health risks and appropriate control measures must be used. Health monitoring requirements may also apply where work with asbestos is likely to be ongoing. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
And SafeWork NSW recommends using a licensed asbestos professional to assess or remove any amount of asbestos.
The 10-square-metre threshold is not a shortcut around asbestos safety.
Demolition Is a Different Level of Risk
Demolition and major refurbishment can expose asbestos that was previously hidden.
Before demolition or refurbishment work begins, the asbestos register needs to be reviewed.
If the register is inadequate for the proposed work, it needs to be revised.
Where there is no asbestos register, the structure needs to be inspected by a competent person to determine whether asbestos or asbestos-containing material is present or assumed to be present. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
SafeWork NSW also states that asbestos likely to be disturbed should, so far as is reasonably practicable, be identified and removed before demolition or refurbishment begins. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
That means asbestos shouldn't be an afterthought once demolition has already started.
What Is an Asbestos Register?
For workplaces where asbestos is present or likely to be present, the asbestos register is an important part of managing the risk.
SafeWork NSW says an asbestos register must identify asbestos that has been identified or assumed to be present and record its location, type and condition. It must also be kept up to date. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
A register isn't just paperwork.
Imagine a contractor arriving at an older commercial building to install new electrical cabling.
Without an asbestos register, the worker may have no idea that the wall they are about to drill contains asbestos-containing material.
With a useful, current register, the risk can be identified before the drill touches the wall.
Information can prevent exposure.
When Does a Workplace Need an Asbestos Register?
SafeWork NSW states that a workplace must have an asbestos register where asbestos has been identified or is likely to be present.
A register is not required where the workplace was constructed after 31 December 2003, no asbestos has been identified and asbestos is not likely to be present from time to time. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
For businesses operating from older premises, this is particularly important.
And for contractors working on someone else's property, don't assume the building owner has everything covered.
Ask.
Is there an asbestos register?
Where is it?
Does it cover the area we're working in?
Has it been reviewed for the proposed work?
If the answer isn't clear, stop and investigate before disturbing materials.
What About Homes?
Domestic renovations deserve the same level of caution.
SafeWork NSW notes that asbestos was commonly used in homes and buildings constructed before the late 1980s, including in roofs, walls, ceilings, flooring, kitchens and bathrooms. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
For trades working across Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Kempsey, Taree and surrounding areas, this is particularly relevant when working on older properties.
A bathroom renovation.
A kitchen renovation.
Replacing old flooring.
Installing electrical outlets.
Repairing a roof.
Replacing a wall.
Adding an air-conditioning unit.
These jobs may involve disturbing materials that were installed decades ago.
The fact that the job is small doesn't make the potential exposure insignificant.
The Mid North Coast Has Another Consideration
Asbestos isn't only found in manufactured building products.
Naturally occurring asbestos can also be encountered in some geological environments, particularly during excavation, earthworks, roadworks and other activities that disturb soil or rock.
This means businesses involved in:
Excavation
Landscaping
Roadworks
Civil construction
Agriculture
Forestry
Earthmoving
also need to understand whether naturally occurring asbestos is a potential hazard in the area where they work.
SafeWork NSW identifies excavation, construction, roadworks, landscaping and other activities as potential situations where naturally occurring asbestos may be disturbed. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
The lesson is simple:
Know what you're working with — and know what is beneath the worksite.
What Should You Do If You Find Something Suspicious?
This is where a good workplace culture matters.
If a worker discovers a material they suspect could contain asbestos:
Stop the work.
Don't keep going just because the job needs to be finished.
Keep people away.
Prevent unnecessary access to the area.
Don't disturb the material further.
Don't break it, cut it, drill it, sweep it or move it unnecessarily.
Notify the appropriate person.
Tell your supervisor, site manager or person responsible for the workplace.
Get appropriate advice.
Where required, engage a competent person or licensed asbestos professional to identify and manage the material.
The worst response is often:
"We'll just finish this bit."
That's exactly how a small uncertainty can become an exposure incident.
Don't Clean Up Asbestos Like Ordinary Dust
This is another important distinction.
Asbestos contamination isn't ordinary construction dust.
Workers shouldn't simply dry sweep or use inappropriate methods that could redistribute fibres.
Safe asbestos work requires appropriate controls, procedures, equipment and waste management.
The objective isn't simply to make the area look clean.
It's to prevent asbestos fibres becoming airborne and prevent exposure to workers and others.
If asbestos has been disturbed unexpectedly, stop and seek appropriate advice rather than improvising a clean-up procedure.
Asbestos Waste Doesn't Belong in the Normal Bin
Once asbestos-containing material has been removed, the job isn't finished.
It needs to be appropriately contained, transported and disposed of in accordance with the relevant requirements.
Asbestos waste must be managed separately from ordinary construction waste.
That matters not only for the worker who removes it, but also for everyone who may encounter the waste later — including other workers, transport operators and waste facility staff.
A sheet of asbestos doesn't stop being hazardous simply because it has left the worksite.
Training Is Part of the Control
SafeWork NSW states that businesses and PCBUs have a general duty to provide workers with appropriate information, training and instruction, and that workers who may encounter asbestos on the job need asbestos awareness training. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
This is particularly relevant for trades that may encounter asbestos without being asbestos removalists.
Electricians.
Plumbers.
Carpenters.
Roofers.
Bathroom renovators.
Kitchen installers.
Maintenance workers.
Demolition workers.
The objective of awareness training isn't to turn every tradesperson into an asbestos removalist.
It's to help workers recognise:
"This could be asbestos. I need to stop and follow the correct process."
That recognition can be the most important control of all.
Five Questions Before You Start Work
Before drilling, cutting, removing or demolishing anything in an older building, ask:
1. How old is the building?
The age can provide an important indication that asbestos may be present, but it should not be relied on as the only method of identification.
2. Do we know what materials we're working with?
If not, don't guess.
3. Is there an asbestos register?
If it's a workplace where one is required, find it and review it.
4. Could our work disturb asbestos?
Think about drilling, cutting, demolition, refurbishment, penetration work and removal.
5. Who is responsible for assessing and managing the risk?
Make sure someone competent is responsible before work begins.
A Five-Minute Asbestos Check
Before starting work:
Building age and construction history have been considered
Potential asbestos-containing materials have been identified
The asbestos register has been located where required
The register is current and relevant to the proposed work
Workers have been informed of known or suspected asbestos
Workers have appropriate asbestos awareness training
The proposed work will not disturb asbestos unexpectedly
Appropriate controls have been planned
Licensed asbestos professionals have been engaged where required
Asbestos waste arrangements are understood
Workers know what to do if unexpected asbestos is discovered
If you can't answer these questions, the job may not be ready to start.
The Most Important Tool Isn't a Power Tool
It might be a strange thing for a training business to say, but sometimes the most important piece of equipment on a job is neither a drill nor a saw.
It's the ability to stop and ask a question.
Could this be asbestos?
That question can prevent a worker from cutting into a contaminated wall.
It can prevent an electrician from drilling into an asbestos-containing panel.
It can prevent a demolition crew from disturbing hidden materials.
And it can prevent an avoidable exposure from happening in the first place.
The Mid North Coast Reality
Across our region, we're surrounded by older buildings.
Homes.
Shops.
Workshops.
Schools.
Commercial premises.
Industrial buildings.
Community facilities.
Some have been renovated several times.
Some have changed owners.
Some have changed uses.
And some have decades of building materials hidden behind newer renovations.
That means asbestos awareness isn't just relevant to demolition companies.
It can be relevant to almost anyone working on an older structure.
The material may be old.
The risk is still here.
Don't Guess. Don't Disturb. Get Advice.
If you're working on an older building and you aren't sure what a material is, don't rely on appearance, memory or what someone tells you it "probably" is.
Stop.
Identify the risk.
Follow the correct process.
Where necessary, engage a competent person or licensed asbestos professional.
SafeWork NSW recommends using a licensed asbestos professional to assess or remove asbestos, even where limited unlicensed removal may legally be permitted. (safework.nsw.gov.au)
Because when asbestos is involved, "probably safe" isn't a control measure.
The Mid North Coast Safety Handbook
This is Edition 5 of The Mid North Coast Safety Handbook, SALT Training Academy's ongoing series of practical safety information for businesses, workers and organisations across our region.
So far, we've looked at:
Edition 1: Construction safety and the fundamentals of safer worksites.
Edition 2: Emergency preparedness and what happens when something goes wrong.
Edition 3: Silica exposure and the dust you can't see.
Edition 4: Working at heights and why the safest height is often the ground.
Edition 5: Asbestos awareness and the renovation trap.
Our aim is simple:
Practical safety information for the people who work here, live here and keep the Mid North Coast moving.
Because good safety isn't about knowing everything.
It's about recognising when you don't know — and knowing what to do next.
Practical Training for Safer Workplaces
SALT Training Academy provides practical workplace training across Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast, including Asbestos and Silica Awareness, First Aid, CPR, White Card, Working Safely at Heights and Low Voltage Rescue.
We also provide onsite training options for businesses that want their teams trained at their own workplace.
Training and assessment delivered on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909.
