Where can material get tested to determine if it is asbestos?
If the building is a place of work and the presence of asbestos is suspected, the employer is responsible for having the material tested by an accredited laboratory.
Generally, this would involve sending a small sample in a sealed plastic bag to the laboratory, with the requisite fee. Accredited laboratories are listed in the Yellow Pages – under Asbestos.
Advice should first be sought from the Department of Labour or Public Health Unit.
The testing laboratory report should specify:
- the sample identification number;
- the analysis method used;
- a description of the sample appearance;
- proportion, if known, and type of asbestos present;
- comment on other materials detected.
If asbestos is identified, expert advice should be sought on how to deal with it. In some cases it may be necessary for air in a place of work to be tested for asbestos dust.
Home-owners who are concerned about the possible presence of asbestos are advised to follow the same procedures as above.
Date Modified: Tuesday, 7 December 2010
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and should not be used as a substitute for legislation or legal advice.State sector employers
and employees may be affected by some differences in the laws that apply to them (e.g. State
Sector Act 1988).The Department of Labour takes no responsibility for the results of any actions taken
on the basis of information on this website, nor for any errors or omissions.
