Issue 8, October 2003

A Hazardous Materials Audit not only determines the presence and condition of asbestos containing materials in your building but also looks at all other potential hazardous materials.

The purpose of the Hazardous Materials Audit is to establish the following:

• Determine if hazardous materials are present;
• Identify the type of hazardous material;
• Identify the location and extent of the hazardous material; and
• Record the condition of the hazardous material. 

A hazardous materials audit typically follows the procedure summarised below:

1. Reviewing the historical use of your site to determine if its past or current use may have the potential for causing contaminated soil.
2. Visually assessing for potential contamination.
3. Visually assessing your adjacent properties to determine if they have the potential for causing contamination of your site. i.e. potential groundwater contamination from an elevated adjacent site.
4. Sampling your soil is recommended to confirm where soil or groundwater contamination is suspected.
5. Identifying external building materials. What materials are the walls roofs and paths made of, are they hazardous i.e. asbestos flues or eaves, lead paint etc.
6. Identifying internal building materials. What materials are the walls, floors and ceilings made of, are they hazardous i.e. vinyl flooring may contain asbestos fibres, fluorescent lights containing PCB’s in the ballast, have asbestos sheets been used behind stoves, hot water services, or in fire doors etc.
7. Determining your insulation type used for insulation in the ceiling, air conditioning and pipe work. The extent of this stage is often dependent on available access.
8. Assessing materials that are used and/or stored on site. This includes chemical storage and work procedures.

Samples of suspect hazardous materials are usually analysed. Where analysis of suspect materials is not undertaken, the material is classified as hazardous until confirmation can be provided.  

Inaccessible areas that are likely to contain hazardous materials are assumed to contain hazardous materials. The condition and extent of the hazardous material is recorded to enable the development of a risk assessment and management plan.

If the Hazardous Materials Audit identifies hazardous materials, you should undertake a risk assessment and management plan so that you can:

1. Identify the level of risk associated with the hazardous material;
2. Develop strategies to address the risk, either through its removal, encapsulation or ongoing monitoring;
3. Ensure adequate procedures are developed for the correct use and storage of hazardous materials on site.

With over 30 years experience in Occupation Health and Safety, CETEC is skilled in conducting Hazardous Materials Audits and can undertake an audit that meets your individual requirements and ensures that you continue to provide a safe work environment. Call us now for more information or bookmark this page for your future requirements.

For more information or help in organising a Hazardous Materials Audit of your property call us NOW on +613 95449111 or bookmark this page for when you may need help.

Last month in RiskeNews we discussed why hazard assessments are important for property owners.  If you wish to now read this article click here.

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