Emergency Response Guide

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) get accidentally disturbed more often than you'd expect — during routine maintenance, renovation work, or after storm damage. How you respond in the first few minutes makes a real difference to fibre exposure risk. Here's what to do.

Immediate actions

Assess the situation

Once the area is secured, work out what you're dealing with. Is the material confirmed as asbestos or just suspected? Has it actually been broken, drilled, sanded, or cut? Is it friable (crumbles easily by hand) or non-friable (solid, like cement sheeting)? The answers tell you how urgent the situation is and what kind of professional help you need.

Who to contact

• Building owner or manager — they are the PCBU/duty holder responsible for managing the incident
• Licensed asbestos assessor for sampling and risk assessment — search our directory to find a qualified professional near you
• WHS regulator if exposure to airborne fibres may have occurred
• Emergency services if there has been a large-scale release or fire damage involving ACMs

What NOT to do

• Do not vacuum with a standard vacuum — only HEPA-filtered equipment is safe for asbestos-contaminated areas
• Do not sweep or use compressed air, as this will disperse fibres into the air
• Do not wet the material unless directed to do so by a qualified professional
• Do not place contaminated items in regular waste — asbestos waste requires licensed disposal
• Do not attempt to remove or encapsulate the material without the appropriate licence

If exposure may have occurred

Remove contaminated clothing carefully to avoid shaking fibres loose, and place it in a sealed plastic bag. Shower as soon as possible. Seek medical advice and inform your doctor of the potential asbestos exposure.

For context: a single, brief exposure carries very low risk. Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis are caused by repeated exposure over time, not usually a one-off incident. That said, still document it.

Documentation

Record the date, time, and location of the disturbance, along with the extent of damage and the names of all people who were present. Note every action taken from the moment the material was disturbed. Take photos of the affected area if it is safe to do so without re-entering the contaminated space. This information will be needed by the asbestos assessor and may be required by the WHS regulator.