What to do if you disturbed asbestos

If you have accidentally disturbed asbestos, the most important thing is to stop what you are doing. Drilling, cutting, sanding or breaking a sheet of old fibro can release fine dust. It happens a lot during renovations in older Toowoomba homes, and acting calmly in the first few minutes makes a real difference.

This guide covers the basics. It is not medical advice. If you are worried about your health, see your GP.

Stop and step back

Switch off any tool you are using. Put it down without moving the dust around. Then:

1. Keep everyone else away, including kids and pets.
2. Do not sweep, vacuum or brush the area.
3. Do not use compressed air or a water blaster.
4. Do not use a power tool or any device to clean up the dust.

Household vacuum cleaners are prohibited for asbestos, even HEPA ones. High pressure water cleaners are also banned, and homeowners can be fined up to $10,000 for using one on asbestos materials.

Keep dust down

If you can do it safely, keep the area damp. A light mist from a spray bottle is enough. Wetting material stops dust lifting into the air.

For a broken bonded sheet, the Queensland Government says to wipe up dust with a damp cloth or paper towel. Seal cracks in a sheet that is still in place with PVA glue or paint. For bigger damage, replace the sheet.

One caution. The guidance on waste says asbestos must never go in household bins. Wipes and cloths that carry asbestos dust are waste, so bag them double, label them, and check with Toowoomba Regional Council on 131 872 before you dispose of them. Do not guess.

Protect yourself

If you need to be near the area, wear a P2 respirator and disposable coveralls. Wipe your boots or wear covers. When finished, take off your coveralls without shaking them, bag them with the wipes and shower.

Disposable gear is asbestos waste, so do not put it in a household bin.

Is it actually asbestos?

Maybe not. You cannot tell by looking. Houses built before 1990 are likely to contain some, and asbestos is estimated to be in about one in three homes across Australia.

A sample tested by a NATA-accredited laboratory confirms it. Sampling is itself hazardous, so use a competent person. Our asbestos testing service can help. If you cannot be sure, treat the material as asbestos.

The 10 m² rule

Homeowners can remove 10 m² or less of bonded asbestos without a certificate. That figure covers the whole job. About four sheets of wall cement sheeting makes up 10 m². If your accident has spread dust over a larger area or involved more material, you need a licensed removalist for the clean-up.

Our contractors hold a Class B licence, which covers non-friable (bonded) asbestos. If the material is crumbly or friable, it needs a Class A removalist. Call us on (07) 3185 2323 and describe what happened. We will tell you honestly which kind of help you need.

Telling people

Let the others in your household know what happened. If you share a wall, fence or a roof with neighbours, tell them too. Owners, occupiers and neighbours should be informed when asbestos work is under way.

What a professional clean involves

If you call a licensed removalist, the clean-up includes wet wiping, wrapping waste and decontaminating tools. Afterwards, an independent assessor or competent person inspects the area. You get a written clearance certificate. Read more in our guide to asbestos decontamination in Toowoomba.

Storm or wind has caused the damage rather than a tool? See our guide to storm damaged asbestos in Toowoomba.

Avoiding a repeat

Before you cut, drill or sand anything in an older home, check whether it might contain asbestos. Our team can also help with asbestos removal in Toowoomba if the material has to come out.

We serve homes across Toowoomba and the region. For advice, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68). Rules change, so check the current guidance at asbestos.qld.gov.au.