The Need-to-Know
Don’t have time to read the full article? Here’s a quick summary
- Industrial sites often contain large amounts of friable asbestos, meaning fibres are far more likely to become airborne if the material is disturbed compared to most other property types.
- Proper asbestos testing and site inspections are essential, as materials are often hidden in plant rooms, ducting and structural areas.
- Safe removal depends on careful planning and practical safety measures to protect workers and prevent contamination.
- Areas should only return to use once clearance has been issued and all regulatory requirements have been met.
The industrial asbestos legacy in Australia
When Australians think about asbestos, the conversation often centres on old homes and fibro sheeting. But the real scale of asbestos risk lies in our industrial past. Factories, warehouses, refineries, power stations, and even large commercial facilities across Australia were heavy users of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) throughout the 20th century, and it wasn’t just used for insulation. Asbestos was built into machinery, fireproofing systems, pipe lagging, electrical panels, and structural components, far more than most people realise.
This makes industrial sites far more complex and hazardous than typical residential projects. The volume of asbestos is greater, the materials are often more deteriorated, and removal requires advanced planning and strict safety procedures.
At HMG, we specialise in industrial asbestos removal in Brisbane, delivering expert hazardous material management solutions tailored to large-scale, high-risk industrial environments. In these settings, understanding the risks and applying the correct removal procedures isn’t optional — because when it comes to asbestos, there is no safe level of exposure.
Asbestos management is far more complex in industrial sites
Industrial asbestos removal is a different undertaking altogether compared to residential work. Removing a few sheets from a bathroom renovation is one thing, but managing contamination across a 5,000sqm manufacturing floor or multi-level plant room is another entirely.
Industrial sites often contain large volumes of asbestos materials, particularly in insulation and fireproofing systems that wrap around kilometres of pipework, boilers and structural elements. Unlike many residential materials, industrial environments are more likely to contain friable asbestos. Which is more likely to crumble under light pressure, making it far more prone to releasing airborne fibres when disturbed.
Add decades of vibration, heat and heavy machinery into the equation, and deterioration becomes a major health risk. In active facilities, removal has to be carefully planned and controlled to protect workers and prevent contamination of operational areas. It requires the right containment systems, the right access equipment and the right level of technical oversight.
Identifying asbestos-containing materials in industrial facilities
Before removal begins, a comprehensive asbestos audit is essential. This involves:
- Reviewing historical building and plant records
- Conducting site inspections by licensed asbestos assessors
- Sampling suspect materials for laboratory testing
- Creating an asbestos register and risk management assessment
Asbestos is often found in unexpected locations such as:
- Inside wall cavities
- Around steam pipes and valves
- In old HVAC ducting
- Beneath plant flooring
- In fire doors and control panels
Without structured professional assessment and asbestos testing, these materials can remain undetected for years — only becoming apparent when maintenance, upgrades or demolition activities disturb them.
Safe asbestos removal follows strict protocols
Safe removal must follow strict regulatory requirements and legal duties, including Safe Work Australia Codes of Practice and WHS laws. Qualified professionals follow a structured process to reduce risk, control contamination, and meet all reporting and clearance obligations.
Risk assessment and planning
A detailed removal and disposal control plan is developed, outlining:
- Scope of work
- Type and condition of asbestos
- Containment methods
- Air monitoring requirements
- Contaminated waste disposal methods
Site isolation
The work area is sealed using heavy-duty plastic sheeting and negative air pressure units. This prevents asbestos fibres from escaping into surrounding areas.
Decontamination units
Workers pass through specialised decontamination units when entering and exiting the site. These include shower facilities to remove any fibres from protective clothing and equipment.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Licensed removalists wear:
- Disposable coveralls
- P2 or P3 respirators
- Gloves and boot covers
Controlled removal techniques
To minimise airborne fibres:
- Materials are kept damp during removal
- Hand tools are preferred over power tools
- Components are removed intact where possible
Air monitoring
Independent occupational hygienists conduct air monitoring to ensure fibre levels remain below legal limits during and after removal.
Hazardous waste disposal
All asbestos waste is double-bagged, labelled, and transported to approved hazardous waste facilities.
Improper disposal of asbestos in general waste bins, public areas or Council resource recovery centres is illegal. Individuals can face fines exceeding $50,000, along with additional legal and investigation costs. That is why asbestos removal must be handled by licensed professionals — particularly in industrial environments, where the scale of material and risk of exposure significantly increases the likelihood of long-term health problems.
Clearance and reoccupation
Once removal is complete, a clearance inspection is conducted by an independent licensed assessor. This includes:
- Visual inspection for debris
- Air testing
- Certification that the area is safe
It’s only after clearance is issued that the area can be returned to normal use.
The role of professional hazardous material management
Industrial asbestos removal is rarely a simple matter of removing materials and closing off an area, particularly within large facilities where operations may still be underway and multiple contractors are moving through the site. In these environments, removal becomes a carefully coordinated process of managing risk across the entire workplace, which is why professional hazardous material management is so important.
At HMG, we work closely with facility managers, engineers, and WHS officers to:
- Stage removal to minimise operational disruption
- Integrate asbestos management into shutdown schedules
- Ensure full regulatory compliance
- Protect workers, contractors, and the surrounding environment
Our experience in removing asbestos across Brisbane has given us a practical understanding of how complex sites operate, allowing us to protect workers, maintain compliance, and minimise disruption without compromising safety standards.
Proactive asbestos management starts with inspection
In industrial environments, unidentified asbestos can remain hidden until maintenance or upgrades disturb it. A proactive inspection is one of the most effective ways to manage risk, maintain compliance and protect your workforce.
If your facility was built or renovated before the early 2000s, now might be a good time to schedule an inspection.