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No site is the same as the one next to it, so a blanket approach to asbestos assessments rarely gets the job done.
At West Soil & Water, we conduct staged investigations that account for a site’s history, proposed use and contamination risks. Our consultants complete Preliminary Investigations to identify potential contamination and, where necessary, confirm those results with a Detailed Investigation.
This article explains the differences between the two levels and how a staged approach can save you money, time and compliance breaches. To arrange an assessment, contact our team.
Alternatively, learn more about our asbestos inspection and removal services.
As with any contaminated land management program, asbestos investigations form the foundation of a safe and compliant response. Opting for the wrong scope can create countless problems later in development.
If the inspection is too relaxed, contamination can go undetected and will cause delays if it is uncovered during works. If it goes into too much depth, the project incurs unnecessary time and expense.
To avoid these issues, WSW opts for a staged approach to asbestos investigations. Our consultants begin with a preliminary assessment and only move to a detailed investigation when required. That ensures actions are proportionate to actual risk.
A Preliminary Site Investigation is the first step in determining the presence of asbestos contamination. This assessment identifies potential risks but does not confirm contamination.
Desktop reviews of historical land use and site records
Regulatory database searches
Site walkovers to identify visible asbestos containing materials or debris
Development of a conceptual risk assessment
From there, our consultants will consider one key question: is it reasonably likely that asbestos contamination still exists on this site?
In some cases, the investigation will determine that risk is low and no further action is required. But if red flags are identified, a Detailed Site Investigation will be recommended. Common red flags include:
Pending earthworks or redevelopment will disturb soil
The site is being reported under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003
The land is proposed for a sensitive use (e.g. residential or public spaces)
A Detailed Site Investigation moves beyond identifying risk to confirm the presence, type and extend of contamination using trusted testing methods.
Targeted soil and dust sampling
Laboratory analysis at NATA accredited facilities
Air monitoring
Mapping contamination hotspots
Quantifying asbestos distribution across the site
A DSI is focused on compliance, providing evidence based data that supports remediation planning and regulatory reporting.
Let’s boil it all down. While both investigations monitor asbestos risk, they serve two distinct purposes:
Preliminary Investigations
Identify potential risks
Focus on history and observation
Lower cost and quicker turnaround
Suitable for due diligence in the early stages of development
Detailed Investigations
Confirm contamination through testing
Includes soil, water and/or air sampling
Provides quantitative data
Higher level of certainty
Data gathered can inform remediation and regulatory decisions
Choosing the appropriate level of investigation depends on your site’s specific conditions. Consider:
Age and history of the property
Any evidence of demolition or fill
Visible asbestos containing materials, including roofing
Planned excavation, removal or redevelopment
Regulatory or planning requirements
WSW will always start with a preliminary investigation and progress to detailed testing only where it is truly needed. That saves time and money, but still keeps your project compliant.
At West Soil and Water, our consultants adopt a staged, structured approach to asbestos management. This approach ensures:
You avoid the additional costs of unnecessary testing
Contamination is not missed or overlooked
Regulatory requirements are satisfied
Remediation is planned based on reliable evidence
Our team can also assist as other stages of the management process, including remediation and advisory services.
Preliminary and detailed asbestos investigations are complementary. Starting with a broader assessment is an efficient way of identifying potential risks that can be verified with more detailed testing.
For more guidance on asbestos in soils or to arrange an investigation, get in touch with our team.