Hazardous Materials Survey

A Hazardous Materials Survey consists of an inspection and report on buildings and structures for materials likely to be hazardous to the health of workers, building occupants or the environment.

Hazardous materials identified through our survey can include but are not limited to:

• Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)
• Lead
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMF)
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)
• Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS)

Your obligations

A hazardous materials survey fulfils your obligations as a building manager or owner by:

• Meeting your occupational health and safety legislative requirements to protect workers and building occupiers from hazardous materials
• Meeting legislative requirements for the register and management of asbestos in the workplace under the Occupation Health and Safety Regulations 1996
• Complying with the hazardous materials auditing procedure (clause 1.6) of the AS 2601 Demolition of Structures
• Responding to workplace concerns
• Meeting the needs of property buyers, sellers and developers
• General due diligence
• Meeting development approval
• Environmental due diligence
• Addressing health and safety requirements identified before major refurbishment and demolition

A Hazardous Materials Survey may identify the following in a survey:

• Bonded Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) which includes corrugated fibre cement sheet found on roofs and in fencing. Flat asbestos containing sheets which were used in the past for eaves and internal/external cladding in wet areas of homes, vinyl tiles and vinyl sheeting (linoleum)
• Friable Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) found in pipe lagging, limpet insulation and fire retardant, ceiling insulation, gaskets and rope insulation.
• Lead found in lead flashing, Damp Proof Course (DPC) and lead lighting
• Lead in paint is usually found in high wear areas in older buildings
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are usually found in caulking materials, lighting capacitors, electrical transformers and within soil where transformers were located
• Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMF) are usually found in heaters, anti-con, and roofing insulation
• Ceramic based fibres found in High Temperature Insulation Wool (HTIW) products
• Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) are contained with refrigerant systems including air conditioners and cooling rooms
• Fuel Storage Facilities including underground storage tanks which often contain remnant fuel or fuel derivatives.
• Hydrocarbon stained soil
• Heavy metals (including mercury) and hydrocarbons within pipe work and dilution pits
• Radiation sources including smoke alarms, exit signs, radiation gauges, laboratory isotopes and laboratory hoods
• Compressed gases and flammables
• Pesticides under building footprints
• Health and hygiene  hazards including sharps and pathogens

Environmental Site Services Hazardous Material Surveys (HAZMAT) are produced in accordance with the requirements of:

• National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in Workplaces [NOHSC:2018(2005)]
• Occupation Health and Safety Regulations 1996
• AS 2601 Demolition of Structures
• Guidelines for the Assessment, Remediation and Management of Asbestos- Contaminated Sites in Western Australia – May 2009
• Department of Environment (DEC), Contaminated Sites Management Series (2001-2010)
• National Environmental Protection (Assessment of Site contamination) Measure (2013)

One of our qualified HAZMAT consultants will visually inspect, sample and record the type, location and condition of the hazardous materials in your building. These findings will be catalogued to form a report along which includes a risk assessment and control recommendations on the management of the materials.

Depending on whether the building is occupied, to be refurbished or to be demolished will influence the level and invasiveness of the inspection. The survey will be performed accordingly and our team will liaise with you to establish your needs and requirements. Hazardous materials surveys can be performed out of business hours in order to minimise disruption.