What is asbestos air monitoring?
Asbestos air monitoring is undertaken during removal works of asbestos containing materials to ensure that the area of removal is safe from airborne fibres. Ensuring that people are not subjected to a level of asbestos dust that places their health at risk and that the control measures that are in place are effective is a high matter of importance. Air monitoring is the only way to ensure an area is safe from airborne asbestos fibres.
When should asbestos air monitoring be conducted?
The National Occupational Health and Safety Commission recommend that asbestos air monitoring should be performed whenever asbestos containing material is being removed to ensure that control measures are effective. If asbestos removal is undertaken in a public location, air monitoring is recommended and should be strongly considered to ensure the safety of public. When asbestos material is friable, air monitoring becomes mandatory.
Types of asbestos air monitoring:
- Background air monitoring.
- This type of air monitoring is undertaken if there are any concerns that asbestos fibres may be present within the area.
- Control air monitoring.
- This type of air monitoring is undertaken during remediation of asbestos containing materials to ensure that the control measures in place are effective.
- Clearance air monitoring.
- This type of air monitoring is usually undertaken post remediation to determine if the area is safe to reoccupy.
- Personal air monitoring (exposure).
- This type of air monitoring is undertaken to assess an individual’s exposure to asbestos during remediation of asbestos or other types of works.
