QLD Licensed Asbestos Assessors

Under the WHS Regulations, an independent Licensed Asbestos Assessor is required to carry out the following functions connected with A-Class asbestos removal:

• Air monitoring throughout all phases of the asbestos removal work
• Witnessing the integrity test of the asbestos removal enclosure 
• Undertaking a visual inspection of the asbestos removal area upon completion of work and issuing Clearance Certificate.

HAS Consulting’s Licensed Asbestos Assessors can be engaged to carry out air monitoring and clearances on all types of asbestos removal. carry out asbestos material identification and sampling, risk assess asbestos containing material and advise on managing asbestos-related risks in the workplace.  

Building Material Sampling (Commercial and Residential) 

HAS Consulting consultants can complete sampling on materials assumed to be hazardous, such as lead-based based paint, asbestos-containing material and dust  – or you can drop in or post the sample to our office, located in Townsville.  The sample will be analysed, and you will be issued a NATA Accredited Certificate of Analysis.

What is NATA Certification?

NATA is an independent authority responsible for the accreditation of laboratories and other factors throughout Australia.  As per QLD legislation, asbestos and other hazardous building material samples must be analysed by a NATA-accredited laboratory.

Airborne Asbestos Fibre Monitoring and Clearance Inspections

Air Monitoring

Air monitoring is a mandatory requirement during all stages of friable asbestos removal and is considered good work practice when removing non-friable asbestos. 

Air monitoring completed by HAS Consulting is undertaken in accordance with Safe Work Australia’s Guidance Note on the membrane filter method for estimating airborne asbestos fibres. We can set up our mobile laboratories on your job site for fast turnaround of air samples results. 

You will be issued a NATA Accredited Certificate of Analysis for Airborne Fibre Counts for all air samples taken during the removal works.

Clearance Inspections

A clearance inspection is legally required after all types of asbestos removal work over 10 m² to verify the area is safe for normal use. 

HAS Consulting can be engaged as an independent third party to perform the clearance inspection and issue a Clearance Report detailing the removal scope, time and date of the clearance inspection and all air monitoring results if applicable. 

Commercial Building Surveys and Reports

A person with management or control of a workplace (PCBU) must ensure:

• All asbestos material or assumed asbestos-containing material is identified within the workplace.  
• The work environment is managed to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful material within the workplace. 
• The registers are maintained and ensure up-to-date information.  
• The registers are reviewed at least every five years; or earlier if required. 

Whether you want a few samples taken, or your whole workplace surveyed, HAS Consulting can complete a site assessment for:

• Asbestos and asbestos-containing materials 
• Lead-based paints
• Semi-volatile and volatile organic sources
• Polyfluorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Fluorinated compounds such as CFCs
• Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMF)

The site assessment can be completed using the following sampling techniques:

Non-Intrusive Survey:  Minimal sampling using non-intrusive sampling technique and/or visually assessing and assuming asbestos-containing material and other hazardous materials. 

Destructive Survey:  This type of sampling is required before any destructive building works to identify all asbestos-containing material. The building or areas being surveyed will need to be vacant. 

Based on your scope of work, HAS Consulting will develop a register and provide you with the relevant report.  Reports issued by HAS Consulting include,

Asbestos and HAZMAT Register Report

This type of report documents the findings of the building survey using non-intrusive sampling techniques and visual assessments to identify accessible asbestos-containing material (and other hazardous materials at the client’s request). The register includes individual item descriptions, condition assessment and generic risk rating scores.

Asbestos and HAZMAT Demolition Survey Report

The report documents the findings of the building survey using invasive sampling techniques. The survey technique assesses areas that may not have been previously identified using non-intrusive sampling techniques. This type of survey is recommended before demolition or refurbishment work. 

Guidance Documents for Workplace Asbestos Management 

The report details the management of asbestos identified during the site assessment in relation to the current legislative requirements. The document outlines procedures and control measures when dealing with asbestos, under normal working conditions or in relation to workplace incidents and emergencies. The report also provides information, consultation and training responsibilities to workers carrying out work involving asbestos.

A register detailing the description for each item identified, including a detailed condition score, risk rating and recommendations, is included.

Guidance documents for other HAZMAT within the workplace can also be developed.

Developing and Reviewing Asbestos Removal Methodology

HAS Consulting can develop job-specific removal methodology reports detailing removal scope and controls to ensure all removal contractors quote on the same scope of works.

We can also review all documents provided by the appointed asbestos removal contractor to ensure legislative compliance. 

Asbestos in Soil 

HAS Consulting can assist with soil remediation regarding asbestos material debris by reviewing or producing the removal scope of works, completing air monitoring during the removal of contaminated soil, and issuing a clearance report upon completion of the removal work and clearance inspection. 

Asbestos Removal Superintending

HAS Consulting can be independently engaged to oversee and advise the appointed asbestos removal contractor during removal work. Air monitoring and site lab are included in the superintending role. 

Asbestos Incident Emergency Response

After an emergency incident (building fires, cyclones or floods), HAS Consulting can assess the area and provide consultation and advice to the client to ensure controls are implemented to eliminate further risk until the damaged asbestos can be removed.

Indoor Air Quality Assessment

Poor indoor air quality can have a negative effect on the health and well-being of your staff.  HAS Consulting can assess the atmospheric conditions within your workplace and provide a report with practical recommendations to ensure your employees are working in a healthy environment.

Our Assessments can include:

• Thermal Comfort:               
  • Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Air Velocity testing
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): 
  • Particulate Matter, Airborne Microbials, Carbon Monoxide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Formaldehyde testing
• Ventilation Effectiveness: 
  • Carbon Dioxide testing
• Indoor Mould Assessments

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds are organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at ordinary room temperature. 

Air Contaminates  

HAS Consulting can test for various air contaminants using environmental and exposure monitoring techniques to provide you with data to check the effectiveness of your implemented controls and identify if there is a failure to your control measures.  

Based on the assessment outcome, we can provide you with professional advice to help you develop best-practice workplace health and safety policies to help ensure your compliance with the relevant legislative requirements.   

You will be issued a report tailored to your requirements, documenting the assessment outcome, including the analysis results and recommendations.

Indoor Light Assessments

Adequate lighting enables workers to concentrate better on their work – which then increases productivity.  

We can evaluate the lighting within your work environment and provide recommendations on reducing the risk of employee light related eye strain, eye discomfort, and headaches.  

Clandestine Drug Laboratory Testing

We can assess your property for methamphetamine (meth/ice) contamination.  All testing is completed in accordance with the Australian Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation Guidelines. We can test and report on the following:

• Baseline Assessments:          Pre-tenancy for rental properties
• Initial Site Assessments:        Before purchase, to determine if there is meth contamination in a dwelling
• Detailed Site Assessments:   To determine the level of contamination throughout a dwelling
• Site validation Assessment:   Following remediation works to determine if the treatment was successful.

Crystalline Silica Monitoring

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must keep employees exposure levels to respirable silica dust to as low as reasonably practicable. Air monitoring will need to be conducted if there is any concern that the exposure standard is being exceeded.

HAS Consulting can complete exposure monitoring on your workers to assess the airborne concentration levels of respirable silica they are exposed to during a typical working day.  Our reports detail the TWA results and provide you with recommendations to reduce silica exposure where relevant. 

What is TWA (Time Weighted Average)?

TWA is the average workplace exposure to any hazardous contaminant or agent using the baseline of an 8 hour per day or 40 hours per week work schedule.

Workplace Noise Assessments

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure that workers are not exposed to noise levels that exceed the exposure standard defined in the WHS Regulation as L_Aeq,8h of 85 dB(A) or an L_C,peak of 140 dB(C).

HAS Consulting can attend your workplace and measure the noise levels to assist you in identifying noise hazards and provide recommendations for risk control measures.  

Respirator Fit Testing

Respirator Fit-testing is a mandatory requirement for any respirator worn by the worker – including half-face and disposables, and any different types/brands of masks worn, to ensure a secure fit.

There are two methods of fit testing:

• Qualitative fit testing:     A pass/fail test that relies on the wearer’s ability to taste or smell a test agent. This type of test can be used on half-face respirators.
• Quantitative fit testing:  Measures how much air leaks into the respirator through specialised equipment.  This type of test can be used on half-face and full-face respirators.

Fit testing is to be carried out:

• Before the respirator is selected or used for the first time
• Every 12 months
• Whenever there is a change in the wearer’s facial characteristics or features that may affect the facial seal, e.g. significant weight loss or gain.

HAS Consulting can assess your employees and issue a Qualitative Face Fit Certificate, valid for 12 months. 

Dilapidation Survey Report

A dilapidation report documents the current condition of the property at the time of the survey.   It records any existing damage and the state of any particular aspects of the property that are likely to be affected by surrounding construction work, excavation or demolition.  

HAS Consulting can provide a report based on a visual inspection of buildings and structures and other areas if required, such as gardens and paving.