An Overview Of Asbestos Roof Removal

Since the ban on the use of asbestos in Australia from 31ST December 2003, it has become necessary to replace asbestos roofs in homes.

The process of removal requires expert handling for two major reasons:

1. Asbestos is highly toxic.

2. The technique used in roofing implies that different levels of care, specialization and techniques have to be taken in removing the roof.

Toxicity Of Asbestos

The Mesothelioma Centre confirms that exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma cancer, which affects the membrane that protects the lungs, heart or the cavity of the abdomen. Much as a longer period of exposure increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, scientists have proventhat even one time exposure to asbestos can put anyone at risk of developing it.

Construction Method And Material

Asbestoswise identifies two types of asbestos used in roofing of approximately 98% of homes in Victoria, Australia, before 1980.

a. Bonded/tightly-bound (non-friable) asbestos is essentially a combination of about 15-40% asbestos with cement.

b. Loosely bound asbestos (friable) on the other hand, though not common in residential homes, can be found in ceiling insulations, warranting the removal of the roof. This is so because it disintegrates into dust quite fast, and particles might therefore settle on the roof.

The Queensland Code of Practice 2011 on How to remove Asbestos requires that removers must first of all be licensed. The only exception is wherethe removal is to occur on a tiny space (less than10 m²), the asbestos has to be tightly bound, and the debris is minor on a place of equivalent size.(10 m²).The licenses are of two types, Class A and class B.

A Holder of Class A license can remove all types of friable and non-friable asbestos and the associated Asbestos Debris while a Class B license holder can remove any amount of non-friable asbestos but only up to 10 m² of friable asbestos.

The highlights of the Codes on Removal of Asbestos in section three and four are:

1 Having a qualified supervisor readily available/present.

2. Having trainedand certifiedpersonnel executing the task.

3. Having signs posted around the working area, indicating the work in progress, highlighting its sensitive nature.

4. The hired remover must have proper disposal and decontamination means.

5. Where appropriate, air monitoring should be conducted to check the spread of asbestos fragments in the air.

6. Limiting access to the area.

The workers have to be especially informed before the work begins, on the purpose of the exercise, the risks, implementation of the correct first aid measures and purpose of health monitoring on the site.

Safe Work Australia in addition, reiterates the above measures among others in its Code of Practice.

There are many homes with asbestos roofs still being habited, but this does not necessarily mean that that are in grave danger. As stated before, it only becomes risky when particles of friable particles come loose, float in the air and are inhaled. It is advisable therefore to have homes inspected to establish what kind of asbestos is present and even better when asbestos containing material is completely removed from the home to minimize the chances of contracting disease in the future.


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Wade Rogers is a site analyst at Sydney Removal Services, licensed asbestos removal experts. He is a team-player in a group that is acclaimed for their extra care and careful coordination in containing asbestos roofs during and after removal. For highly experienced and well trained asbestos removalists, visit http://asbestosremovalsydneywide.com.au/ .