Asbestos Air Monitoring – What It Is and When You Need It
Air monitoring is an important part of asbestos management, particularly where there is a risk that asbestos fibres could become airborne during removal, demolition, remediation, assessment, or other works.
Air monitoring involves collecting air samples and analysing them for respirable asbestos fibres. The results help determine whether asbestos controls are working effectively, whether surrounding areas are being protected and, where applicable, whether an area is suitable for clearance.
For Class A asbestos removal work in NSW, air monitoring must be undertaken by an independent SafeWork NSW Licensed Asbestos Assessor. SafeWork NSW requires air (control) monitoring before, during, and where necessary, after Class A removal work.
However, not all asbestos air monitoring serves the same purpose.
Control Monitoring
Control monitoring asks: “Are our asbestos controls working?”
The purpose is to determine whether the controls being used to contain asbestos fibres are effective and whether fibres are escaping from the removal area. Depending on the project, monitors may be positioned:
Outside of an asbestos enclosure
At the clean end of a decontamination unit
In nearby work areas
Around the perimeter of the work area
At other locations identified by the assessor as presenting a potential risk
For enclosed Class A removal, monitoring outside the enclosure helps determine whether the enclosure and other controls are preventing asbestos fibres from escaping into surrounding areas.
Control monitoring is not simply a test performed at the end of the job. It can occur before, during and, where necessary, after removal, allowing the assessor to identify changes in airborne fibre levels while work is underway.
If elevated results are identified, the removalist may need to investigate the cause and implement additional controls. SafeWork NSW specifies action levels for Class A work, including investigation and additional controls where results are between 0.01 and 0.02 fibres/mL, and stopping work where results exceed 0.02 fibres/mL.
Background Monitoring
Background monitoring asks: “What were the airborne conditions before the asbestos work started?”
Background monitoring establishes a baseline for the site before potentially disturbing asbestos-containing material.
This can be useful where there are existing sources of dust or contamination, where the site has a complex work environment, or where the project team wants to understand the conditions before removal or remediation begins.
For example, a project may involve an older building, demolition activities or asbestos-contaminated soil. Establishing background conditions can provide useful context when interpreting subsequent monitoring results.
Background monitoring should not be confused with clearance monitoring. It establishes pre-work conditions; it does not, by itself, demonstrate that an area has been cleared of asbestos contamination.
Reassurance Monitoring
Reassurance monitoring asks: “Can we demonstrate that surrounding areas remain protected?”
Reassurance monitoring can be used where the project team wants additional information about potential asbestos fibre migration beyond the immediate removal area. This may be appropriate around:
Occupied buildings
Adjacent work areas
Site boundaries
Access and egress routes
Nearby contractors or workers
Areas outside an asbestos enclosure
Sensitive locations identified during the risk assessment
Reassurance monitoring is generally risk-based and project-specific. It should complement, rather than replace, the required control monitoring and clearance processes.
Clearance Air Monitoring
Clearance monitoring asks: “Is the removal area ready to be cleared?”
Clearance air monitoring forms part of the clearance process for relevant Class A asbestos removal work. Where an enclosure has been used, the Licensed Asbestos Assessor undertakes clearance air monitoring inside the enclosure before it is dismantled. The result must be below 0.01 fibres/mL before the enclosure can be dismantled.
Importantly, air monitoring is only one part of clearance.
The assessor must also undertake a thorough visual inspection of the removal area and surrounding areas to confirm there is no visible asbestos residue or contamination. A clearance certificate should only be issued when the assessor is satisfied that the area does not present a risk to health and safety from asbestos exposure.
This means a low air monitoring result does not automatically mean an area has passed clearance. Visual inspection and air monitoring work together as part of the clearance process.
Exposure Air Monitoring
Exposure monitoring asks: “What level of asbestos fibres could a worker be receiving?”
Exposure monitoring is different from control monitoring. Control monitoring focuses on whether the removal controls are containing asbestos fibres, while exposure monitoring focuses on the potential exposure of individual workers.
Exposure samples are collected in a worker’s breathing zone during the relevant activity. This can provide information about the airborne asbestos concentrations a worker may encounter performing particular tasks. This type of monitoring is useful where workers undertake activities that could disturb asbestos-containing material, or where the project team needs information to assess the effectiveness of existing exposure controls.
Exposure monitoring should be considered alongside the broader asbestos risk assessment, control measures, respiratory protection, and applicable worker health monitoring requirements. SafeWork NSW separately identifies health monitoring requirements for workers who are at risk of exposure to asbestos.
What Happens If Results Are Elevated?
For Class A asbestos removal, SafeWork NSW provides specific requirements where airborne asbestos fibre levels exceed certain levels. If monitoring identifies levels between 0.01 and 0.02 fibres/mL, the asbestos removal licence holder must investigate the cause, implement controls to prevent exposure and prevent further release of respirable asbestos fibres.
If levels are above 0.02 fibres/mL, the removal work must stop, the cause must be investigated, controls must be implemented, and SafeWork NSW must be notified.
The aim is not simply to record a result. The monitoring program should provide the project team with information to identify problems early and respond before asbestos exposure occurs.
How Can Confluence Environmental Help?
At Confluence Environmental, we provide practical asbestos air monitoring and assessment services for builders, removalists, contractors, property owners, and project managers across NSW. Depending on the project requirements we can assist with:
Background monitoring
Control monitoring
Reassurance monitoring
Clearance air monitoring
Worker exposure monitoring
NATA-accredited laboratory analysis
Interpretation of results
Communication of results to project teams
Clearance inspections and certificates
Supporting documentation and reporting
Our approach is to make the monitoring process straightforward and useful for the people managing the project. We don’t just provide a number on a laboratory report. We help explain what was monitored, where it was monitored, what the results mean, and what action may be required.
Need Asbestos Air Monitoring in NSW?
Whether you’re undertaking Class A asbestos removal, demolition, remediation, or asbestos-contaminated soil works, the right monitoring program can provide important information about the effectiveness of your controls and the protection of workers and surrounding areas.
Confluence Environmental provides asbestos air monitoring, clearance, validation, and environmental consulting services across NSW.
Call 1300 855 447 or Request a Quote.