·         Make sure no one else is in the vicinity when sampling is done.

·         Shut down any heating or cooling systems to minimise the spread of any released fibres.

·         Turn off any fans if you’re inside. If outside, then sample on a non-windy day.

·         Do not disturb the material any more than is needed to take a small sample.

·         Collect the equipment you will need for sampling, including:

·      pliers, resealable plastic bags, disposable coveralls, waterproof sealant, plastic drop sheet, water spray bottle, labelled heavy duty plastic (200 µm polyethylene) asbestos waste disposal bags

·      P2 respirator, rubber gloves.

·         Wear disposable gloves.

·         Put on respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

·         Wear a pair of disposable coveralls.

·         Lay down a plastic drop sheet to catch any loose material that may fall off while sampling.

·         Wet the material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before taking the sample (generic handheld spray bottle is suitable). The water/detergent mist will reduce the release of asbestos fibres.

·         Carefully cut a thumbnail/10 Cent piece size sample from the entire depth of the material using the pliers.

·         For fibre cement sheeting, if possible, take the sample from a corner edge or along an existing hole or crack.

·         Place the small piece into the resealable ziplock bag.

·         Double bag the sample in another resealable ziplock bag, on the exterior of the sample bag write the date, sample number, location and an asbestos caution warning.

·         Tightly seal the container after the sample is in it.

·         Use a damp paper towel or disposable rag to clean up any material on the outside of the container or around the area sampled.

·        Check the surrounding area for any debris as a result of sampling, wipe/clean any residual debris with the disposable cleaning cloth/paper towel.

·         Patch the sampled area with a plaster based gap filler. However, if the material is to be immediately removed/handled by a licensed contractor post-sampling, a small piece of duct tape may be placed over the sampling area to prevent fibre release during the interim rather than applying gap filler.

·         Seal the edges with waterproof sealant where the sample was taken.

·         Carefully wrap up the plastic drop sheet with adhesive (cloth or duct) tape and then put this into a labelled heavy duty plastic asbestos waste disposal bag.

·         Wipe down the tools and equipment with a disposable dampened cloth or paper towel.

·         Place disposable gloves and coveralls into labelled heavy duty plastic asbestos waste disposal bag, along with the used disposable cloth/paper towels and drop sheet.

·         Seal the plastic bag and then place it in another labelled heavy duty plastic asbestos waste disposal bag (i.e. double bag).

·         Wash hands.

·         Continue to wear the RPE until the clean-up is completed.

·         Follow a decontamination procedure (personal washing) and wash non-disposable RPE upon completion of the task (if applicable).

·         Store non-disposable RPE in a sealed and labelled container. If disposable RPE was utilised place the used RPE in the asbestos waste bag with other used sampling materials.

·         Dispose of asbestos materials according to state or territory and local procedures. Consult your local council website for clear directives.

For the Redland City Region please peruse: https://www.redland.qld.gov.au/info/20190/guidance_on_different_types_of_waste/329/asbestos_building_and_renovation_waste