If it might be asbestos — stop. Don't disturb it, isolate the area, and get it confirmed before anyone works on.
Start safeControl the riskStop when it changes
Scroll the journey
1
When it applies
If you're doing any of this, this guide is in play.
Remedial
Demolition
Facade
Roof
Waterproofing
Painting — on suspect material
2
Before you start
Before the work begins, the Site Supervisor confirms — and you check your own work area.
Asbestos register
Age of building
Hazardous materials reports
Client information
3
The controls
Work down the hierarchy — collective protection first, PPE last. PPE never carries the job on its own.
The RPD rule
Stop work, isolate the area, prevent disturbance, notify the relevant parties and arrange sampling and clearance through competent persons.
StopIsolateDon't disturbNotifyCompetent clearanceHold point — never skip
No work resumes in the affected area until asbestos status and required controls are confirmed.
When in doubt, treat it as asbestos. A few hours waiting for clearance beats a lifetime of exposure.
5
Stop & escalate
See any one of these? The job stops until it's fixed — no exceptions.
- Asbestos is disturbed
- Possible exposure has occurred — escalate to management immediately
Stop work→ tell the Site Supervisor → don't restart until the control is back and the SWMS is reviewed.
6
What gets recorded
The job isn't done until the evidence exists. Live records go in Breadcrumb.
Breadcrumb · live site
- Hazard reporting
- Incident reporting if exposure may have occurred
- Site alerts & access controls to isolate