Asbestos Inventory Assessments

The New Asbestos Inventory Assessment Abatement Regulations

The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) launched the new Asbestos Abatement
Regulations on Friday 27 November 2020. The new Asbestos Abatement Regulations 2020
replaces the Regulations of 2001 and was done in partnership with National Institute for
Occupational Health (NIOH).

The Asbestos Abatement Regulations give the duty to employers to provide and maintain, as far
as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to the
health of employees, and members of the public. The regulations give a clear responsibility to
employers to identify “asbestos in place” and manage it properly.

Although there is no national policy currently with a cut-off date when all buildings must be
asbestos free, employers are encouraged to self-develop policies and procedures as to how
they are going to be phasing out asbestos in their buildings.

Deadlines for Asbestos Management Plans

Regulations 3 and 20 of the Asbestos Abatement Regulations 2020 – Government Gazette
No. R.1196, give employers an implementation time period of 18 months from the
promulgation date (10 November 2020) to develop written asbestos management plans as
well as the labelling and signage to indicate materials or buildings containing asbestos.
The 18 month period to conclude asbestos assessments and develop written asbestos
management plans is approaching. The deadline date is May 2022.

Because that 18-month period has passed, the deadline of May 2022 is now behind us. As a result, property owners must now ensure they have obtained the services of registered and competent companies. Specifically, all identified materials must be entered into an inventory of “asbestos in place” and kept at the workplace.

Identifying and Inventorying Asbestos

With regard to disagreement or doubt whether any substance contains asbestos, a sample of
that substance must be taken and identification of the substance must be determined by an
approved inspection authority (AIA).

According to regulation 4, the inventory of “asbestos in place” must contain as far as
reasonably practicable, the following information about each of the asbestos-containing
materials:

a) The date on which the material was identified;
b) a description of the material, quantity and extent of deterioration;
c) the location as detailed on a floor plan;
d) confirmation of labelling and signage as required by regulation 20;
e) the risk categorisation derived from the asbestos risk assessment; and
f) a description of potential exposure scenarios.

Management Plan

If asbestos – containing materials are identified, the employer or self-employed person must
ensure that a written asbestos management plan is prepared by a competent person.

The asbestos management plan must include:
Exactly where the removal of asbestos is planned, and information in the asbestos inventory
must be adequately detailed with respect to the work to be carried out.
The employer or property owner must ensure that a copy of the asbestos inventory is given
to the registered asbestos removal contractor as well as the approved inspection authority
(AIA) before asbestos removal work commences;
Asbestos Removal and Roofing in Cape Town can assist employers with the identification of
asbestos containing materials as well as the removal and safe disposal of all types of
asbestos. Fortunately, Asbestos Removal and Roofing in Cape Town can assist employers with this entire process. Ultimately, we handle everything from identification to safe disposal.