Do we need an asbestos survey before renovating?

If the building was built before 2008 or may contain asbestos, yes. The Asbestos Abatement Regulations, 2020 require asbestos to be identified before any work that could disturb it, and the survey must be done by an asbestos inspection authority.

Who is responsible for the asbestos inventory: the owner or the contractor?

The owner or employer in control of the building keeps the asbestos inventory. The contractor must not disturb asbestos without knowing where it is and having a plan of work.

Is silica dust from cutting concrete a real risk?

Yes. Concrete, brick and stone contain crystalline silica, and dry cutting produces respirable dust far above the exposure limit. Water suppression and on-tool extraction are the main controls, and monitoring shows whether they work.

OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE FOR CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION AND PROPERTY

Before a building is renovated or demolished, someone must know whether it contains asbestos, and once work starts, cutting, chasing and grinding put silica dust and noise into the air.

Qualitas is a DEL Approved Inspection Authority for asbestos and lead, and carries out asbestos surveys and inventories, silica and dust monitoring, noise and vibration surveys for contractors, developers and property owners.

REACH OUT

Worker cutting steel with an angle grinder as sparks fly

WHO WE WORK FOR

Building and civil contractors

Demolition contractors

Property owners and managing agents

Schools, hospitals and government buildings

Factory owners planning alterations

Shopfitters and renovation contractors

The Asbestos Abatement Regulations, 2020 require asbestos-containing materials in a building to be identified and recorded in an asbestos inventory, and require asbestos to be identified before work that may disturb it.

The Construction Regulations, 2014 require the client to prepare a baseline risk assessment and health and safety specification, and the contractor to assess the risks of each task.

The Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2021, the Noise Exposure Regulations, 2024 and the Lead Regulations apply on site as they do in a factory.

THE HAZARDS WE MEASURE ON SITE

Asbestos in roof sheeting, ceiling boards, pipe lagging, vinyl tiles and adhesives in buildings from before 2008.

Respirable crystalline silica from cutting, chasing, core drilling and grinding concrete, brick and stone.

Lead in old paint during stripping, sanding and hot work.

Noise from breakers, saws and compressors, and vibration from hand-held tools.

Welding fume and solvents during fit-out.

Interior of a large industrial warehouse with overhead cranes

WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES

Foundry workers in protective gear pouring molten metal

WHY QUALITAS

Qualitas Occupational Consulting is a Department of Employment and Labour Approved Inspection Authority (AIA) and a SANAS-accredited (ISO/IEC 17020) inspection body for asbestos, lead, noise and hazardous chemical agents, and applies the same quality system to all its assessments.

Every assessment is led by Christo de Wet, an occupational hygienist registered with the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH), with 15 years of experience.

We work nationwide, and Qualitas has also carried out assessments in Botswana and Kazakhstan. Travel is quoted upfront.

You receive a professional, audit-ready report that stands up to inspection by the Department of Employment and Labour.