Friable asbestos removal

We're a referral service. We only pass friable asbestos enquiries to a business holding a Class A licence. If we can't find one for your job, we'll tell you. Send an enquiry

Friable asbestos is material that is powdery, or can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry (WorkSafe Queensland (opens in a new tab)). Because it releases fibres so easily, it's the most dangerous form.

One example from the state's renovation guide: some older vinyl sheet flooring had a felt-like backing or underlay containing a high proportion of asbestos. It's often recognisable by a "terrazzo" (stone-chip) pattern on the surface, and it's mostly found in buildings from before the mid-1980s (Asbestos: a guide for minor renovation (opens in a new tab)). Don't lift it yourself.

Licensing and clearance

• Any amount of friable asbestos must be removed by a business with a Class A licence. Homeowners can't remove it themselves (WorkSafe (opens in a new tab)).
• An independent licensed asbestos assessor must carry out air monitoring and the clearance inspection, and issue the clearance certificate (WorkSafe (opens in a new tab); asbestos.qld.gov.au – Clearance inspections (opens in a new tab)).
• WorkSafe publishes registers of Class A licence holders and licensed asbestos assessors. Check both names.

What it might cost

We haven't found a reliable published price range for friable removal. Costs depend heavily on the material, enclosure, air monitoring and the assessor's fees. Get a written quote that lists the removalist's and the assessor's costs separately.

Questions to ask

1. Do you hold a Class A licence? What's the number?
2. Which independent licensed assessor will do the air monitoring and clearance?
3. How will the area be enclosed, and do we need to move out during the work?
4. When will I receive the clearance certificate?