You are mid-job and uncover a grey board, an old length of pipe lagging or a textured coating you did not expect. What do you do if you suspect asbestos? The right response is simple, calm and quick, and it can be summed up in three words: STOP - CHECK - REPORT.
This guide walks through each step in detail. Knowing this procedure cold - so it kicks in automatically - is the practical core of awareness training, and it is what separates a controlled stop from a dangerous exposure.
Key takeaways
- The safe response to suspected asbestos is STOP - CHECK - REPORT.
- Stop work immediately and do not cut, drill, move or clean the material.
- Check whether it could be an ACM and whether a register or survey exists - but do not sample it yourself.
- Report your suspicion to your supervisor or duty holder so the area can be controlled.
- Never try to clear up, hide or carry on working near suspected asbestos.
STOP - put the tools down
The instant you suspect asbestos, stop work. Do not cut, drill, scrape, move, sweep or clean the material, and do not try to take a closer look by breaking a piece off. Put down your tools, and stop anyone else nearby from disturbing it too. The goal in the first few seconds is simple: keep the fibres locked in the material where they belong. Most serious exposures happen because someone kept working for just a minute longer.
CHECK - gather information safely
Once work has stopped, check whether the material could be an ACM based on its type, age and location, and check whether there is an asbestos register or survey for the building that confirms what it is. What you must not do is test or sample it yourself - taking a sample disturbs the material and is a job for a competent surveyor, as explained in awareness versus testing. Checking is about gathering information, not investigating hands-on.
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REPORT - escalate immediately
Report your suspicion to your supervisor or the building duty holder straight away. They can control access to the area, arrange a proper assessment by a competent person, and decide how the work should proceed safely. Reporting promptly is not about causing delay or admitting a mistake - it is the responsible action that protects you and everyone else on site. For accidental disturbance, follow asbestos emergency procedures.
What never to do
Never try to clear up the material, hide it, or simply carry on hoping it is nothing. Sweeping or vacuuming debris is especially dangerous because it throws fibres straight back into the air. The common, deadly mistakes are set out in what not to do if you find suspected asbestos - reading it is the perfect companion to this guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do if I suspect asbestos?
Stop work immediately and stop anyone else from disturbing the material.
Should I sample it to check if it is asbestos?
No. Sampling and testing must be done by a competent person, not by you - taking a sample disturbs the material.
Who do I report a suspected ACM to?
Your supervisor or the building duty holder, who can control the area and arrange an assessment.
Can I keep working nearby?
No - keep yourself and others clear until the material is assessed and the area is made safe.
What if there is no asbestos register?
Treat the material as if it contains asbestos and report it so a survey can be arranged before work continues.
Related Asbestos Awareness guides
- What Not to Do If You Find Suspected Asbestos
- The Asbestos Do Not Disturb Rule Explained
- Asbestos Emergency Procedures: Accidental Disturbance
- What Are Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs)?
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