FAQ

The DIY Asbestos Test Kit is sent to customer on the understanding that it used with due care to personal safety of the user as well as safety to others who may be affected by its use when sampling ACM.

It is important that relevant safety measures are carried out during the sampling process. Also, that best practice regarding safely taking asbestos samples is observed. The Step-By-Step Guide & Safety Instructions details best practice and should be read and thoroughly understood before ACM sampling is attempted.

Samples analysed in NATA Accredited Lab using (PLM) Microscope.

Lab Result Certificate emailed within 72 hours of receipt of samples.

Samples not returned to customer, but are kept for three (3) months before being disposed of as “Asbestos Waste” at a suitable landfill facility.

Although the DIY Asbestos Test Kit is a cost-cutting solution, it does not replace the professional opinion of a trained, experienced surveyor/Class A Asbestos Assessor, who is able to identify all the asbestos/ACM situations and evaluate the risks associated with them.

Inexperience often leads to wrong identification and risk assessment of ACM in buildings.

Inappropriate sampling and poor risk assessment influences the quality of information documented in two important documents that are required by law for workplaces/commercial buildings: the Asbestos Register (AR) and Asbestos Management Plan (AMP).

Contact EAPL to have your establishment professionally surveyed for asbestos and comply with your legal obligations.

Workplaces/Commercial Properties

Under current legislation, owners or controllers of buildings have a legal obligation to ensure that a property owned/controlled by them is safe. The National Asbestos Management Code is very clear that there is a legal requirement to manage asbestos in all non-domestic properties i.e. “workplaces.”

Legislation requires that workplaces/commercial properties built before 2004 must have an Asbestos Register (AR) and an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP), if asbestos is on the premises.

These two documents can only be developed after an Asbestos Survey of the premise has been carried out by a “Competent Person”. Therefore, to comply with legislation and avoid penalties, it would be prudent for managers of buildings and employers to secure the services of a professional to carry out Asbestos Surveys and preparation of an Asbestos Register and Asbestos Management Plan.

In such situations, use of the DIY Asbestos Test Kit would be appropriate if a simple ACM situation requires clarification.

Residential Properties

Properties not rented for Profit

Residential properties that are not rented for profit are not subject to the same rigorous laws that apply to workplaces and commercial properties. Any individual can collect samples using the DIY Asbestos Test Kit and remove non-friable (“bonded”) ACM that are less than 10 m².

Properties rented for Profit

In the case of a commercial landlord of any kind (whether renting or leasing commercial or residential property) a business is involved and elements of the WHS &OHS Acts and associated Regulations apply.

Worksafe would expect a landlord who derives income from a property to take a responsible approach to asbestos management of an equivalent standard to the nearest legal framework. In the case of asbestos, this would be the National Asbestos Management Code, and as such, the requirement for an Asbestos Survey,Asbestos Register and Asbestos Management Plan exists.

Therefore, to comply with legislation and avoid penalties, it would be prudent for landlords to secure the services of a professional to carry out Asbestos Surveys and preparation of Asbestos Registers and Asbestos Management Plans.

In such situations, use of the DIY Asbestos Test Kit would be appropriate if a simple ACM situation requires clarification.

Read the Step-By-Step Guide, which includes the Safety Instructions before attempting to take samples.

• Sample should be about the size of a $1 coin: it does not need to be any bigger than this.
• Put sample in smaller bag and give it a unique reference (e.g. write on a number or location in the bag’s white label) – one sample per small sample bag – do not mix samples in same bag
• Place smaller, labelled bag in the larger bag (i.e. double-bag)
• Do this with all samples – one small bag per sample. Uniquely label them and put in the larger bag.
• Complete the Chain of Custody form in with your “Name”, “Contact Details” and “Sample details”.
• Post the Chain of Custody form with your sample(s) to the Lab address shown on the Chain of Custody form
• Your NATA endorsed Certificate of Analysis will be emailed to you within 72 hours of receipt of your sample(s)

Asbestos Assessment’s Customer Support Team is available to provide answers to your questions and any extra support should you need it.

The DIY Asbestos Test Kit should be used with due care to personal safety as well as safety to others who may be affected by your sampling of ACM.

It is important that relevant safety measures are carried out during the sampling process. Also, that best practice regarding safely taking asbestos samples is observed. The safety instruction manual in the DIY Asbestos Test Kit details best practice and should be read and thoroughly understood before ACM sampling is attempted.

The DIY Asbestos Test Kit includes everything needed to safely take samples including an easy to follow, step-by-step instructions and all packaging to return your samples for us for Analysis

The DIY Asbestos Test Kit enables you to safely take a sample(s) from a material you suspect may contain asbestos including:

• corrugated cement roofs and asbestos sheets
• walls and ceilings
• Textured Coatings
• loose fill insulation
• floor tiles and their adhesive backings (e.g. “Blackjack”)
• wall boards and HVAC lining panels
• eaves, soffits and fascia boards
• external cladding panels
• boiler flues and water tanks
• window sills

The DIY Asbestos Test Kit contains everything you need to collect the sample and send it back to us:

• Step-By-Step Guide & Safety Instructions
• Sealed, FFP2/3 rated, fold flat Disposable & Valved face mask
• Mask Fitting Instructions
• Sample bags for collecting sample(s)
• Laboratory Chain of Custody Form included to list and track your samples
• Postage envelope