If you’re a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), understanding your obligations around asbestos isn’t optional—it’s a legal requirement. Whether you operate in construction, education, healthcare, or property management, asbestos-related risks are tightly regulated under Australia’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws.

Failing to comply with these requirements can put lives at risk and expose your organisation to serious legal, financial, and reputational consequences.

Your WHS Obligations

Under WHS legislation, all PCBUs must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and others are not exposed to health and safety risks. For workplaces built before 2004, this includes the duty to:

• Identify and manage asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
• Maintain an up-to-date asbestos register
• Develop an asbestos management plan
• Ensure asbestos is not disturbed during work
• Use competent persons for asbestos-related tasks
• Provide information, training, and supervision

These obligations are not limited to high-risk industries. Any PCBU responsible for managing a building or workspace must be proactive in managing asbestos risks.

Consequences of Failing to Test

The risks of inaction are significant. In recent years, regulatory bodies across Australia have issued fines, improvement notices, and prosecutions for failures to identify or manage asbestos in workplaces.

Beyond the legal implications, the human cost of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres—such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis—can be devastating. Many of these diseases are incurable and often appear decades after exposure.

Industry-Specific Risks

Different sectors face unique challenges when it comes to asbestos. Here’s how the risks break down across several high-exposure industries:

Construction & Renovation

• High risk of disturbing hidden ACMs during demolition, refurbishment, or maintenance.
• Asbestos must be identified before work begins, and clearances must be issued by licensed assessors.

Education (Schools & Early Learning Centres)

• Many schools built prior to 1990 still contain ACMs in ceilings, eaves, and vinyl flooring.
• Duty of care extends to children, staff, and contractors; robust asbestos management plans are essential.

Aged Care & Residential Facilities

• Older buildings often contain legacy asbestos materials.
• Vulnerable populations require heightened precaution; safe access and indoor air quality are critical.

Property & Facilities Management

• Landlords and managers must ensure safe premises for tenants and contractors.
• Asbestos registers must be accessible and up-to-date.

Industrial & Warehousing

• Asbestos may be present in roof sheeting, insulation, and plant infrastructure.
• Regular inspections and documentation are required to support compliance.

How QED Can Help

QED offers comprehensive, NATA-accredited asbestos services to help PCBUs meet their WHS obligations with confidence:

• Asbestos Inspections and Register Creation
  Our consultants identify and document the presence of ACMs across all property types.
• Asbestos Management Plans
  We develop practical, compliant plans to ensure risks are controlled and reviewed regularly.
• Clearance Inspections and Air Monitoring
  Our team delivers fast, reliable clearance reports for asbestos removals or emergency works.
• Asbestos Testing and Analysis
  With our in-house lab and mobile testing capabilities, QED delivers rapid results and expert insights.
• Training and Advisory Services
  We provide tailored training and guidance to ensure your team understands their responsibilities.

Stay Ahead of Compliance

Asbestos management isn’t a one-off task—it’s an ongoing responsibility. By partnering with QED, your organisation gains access to industry expertise, fast turnaround times, and the assurance of full regulatory compliance.

To learn more or book an asbestos risk assessment, get in touch with our team today.