An asbestos audit report is an official document prepared by a competent professional or company with the aim of identifying asbestos-containing materials, outlining present condition of such materials, and providing guidance about the control and recommended steps that should be taken. The report should contain the name of the professional(s) that conducted the audit along with their company’s name. In addition to this, the cause of the audit should be outlined, taking into consideration possible future and past demolitions, alteration, and construction by the current or previous owner.
The findings of the audit should identify the type of asbestos containing materials (ACM) found at the location. This should also be accompanied with descriptions of all the areas that the asbestos containing materials (ACMs) were found and any assumptions made regarding the possible asbestos containing materials (ACMs). If the accredited professional or company experiences any type of difficulty in finding and identifying possible asbestos containing materials (ACMs), this too should be outlined in the asbestos audit report. The inclusion of unverified asbestos containing materials (ACMs) areas in the report is meant to protect those who may be at direct or indirect risk of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) exposure. A list of all these non-accessible areas should be outlined.
Once the areas containing ACMs and the type of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) have been identified, the professional or company must propose recommendations to those responsible for the building. These recommendations should be in accordance with the Work Safe Australian Model Work Health and Safety, Regulations 2011. The recommendations should seek to restrict access to asbestos containing materials (ACMs), remove hazardous materials when necessary, identify the type—whether friable or non-friable—and propose steps to avoid any possible damage to the area.
The professional or company involved in the audit should outline the methodology adopted according to the Work Safe Australia How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace Code of Practice. The types of samples taken from the areas are also important details that appear in the audit report. These samples should be sent to a NATA accredited laboratory for testing and the number of the lab should appear on the Certificate for Analysis.
Where applicable, pictures should be taken of the different areas with ACMs along with the appropriate titles and specifications for each. The company should also conduct risk assessment and risk rating to identify the level of risks involved due to presence of the asbestos containing materials (ACMs).
What you get from Australia’s leading Asbestos Assessment Company, “Quality Building Management”.
ASBESTOS AUDIT PROCESS
To ensure the highest standard of quality, the asbestos assessment will be performed in accordance with AS/NZS 9001:2000, a quality control standard, as well as international standards for environmental protection and health safety. The asbestos audit is a four-step procedure:
1. Inspection Process The asbestos survey will be undertaken by trained, experienced and qualified personnel. All areas of the site will be inspected in detail. Each floor will be separately assessed. Photographic illustration and a detailed description of suspected asbestos materials will be supplied.
2. Analysis of Suspect Materials Samples of all suspected asbestos-containing materials will be taken to prove the presence of asbestos. Samples will be analyzed in a NATA-accredited laboratory by polarizing light microscopy in conjunction with dispersion staining.
3. Result Interpretation Qualified and experienced professionals, in accordance with the quality management system, will interpret the survey and sample results. This process will include hazard identification, recommendations to eliminate or reduce safety hazard, and a complete management service for asbestos removal, upon your request.
4. Asbestos Materials Report and Register (AMRR) A complete Asbestos Materials Report and Register will be prepared containing detailed information on the building, the location of any asbestos-containing materials, condition assessments, health and safety ratings, detailed recommendations on actions and methods of containment and/or removal, and a Clearance Report certifying that the building is free of asbestos.
5. Asbestos Management Plan If asbestos is identified on site, an Asbestos Management can be developed by QBM to control the asbestos on site until such time as it is removed.
A person with management or control of a workplace must ensure a written asbestos management plan is prepared for the workplace if asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACMs) has been identified or assumed present, or is likely to be present from time to time at the workplace.
The asbestos management plan must be maintained to ensure the information is up-to-date.
