Friable Asbestos

Summary

Friable asbestos represents the highest-risk form of asbestos contamination due to its ability to easily release airborne fibres. Its identification and management require strict regulatory controls to protect human health and ensure compliance during demolition, remediation, and construction activities.

Definition

Friable asbestos is asbestos-containing material that can be easily crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. This makes it more likely to release dangerous asbestos fibres into the air, posing serious health risks when inhaled. Examples include sprayed coatings, insulation, and certain pipe lagging materials.

Why It Matters

Friable asbestos is considered the highest-risk asbestos type due to its ability to release fibres easily. Handling or removing friable asbestos without proper licensing and controls is illegal in Australia. For property owners, contractors, and developers, identifying friable asbestos early is critical to preventing exposure, meeting legal obligations, and avoiding costly project delays.

When It’s Required

• Pre-demolition or renovation: Especially in buildings constructed before 1990.‍
• Asbestos-contaminated soil management: When friable asbestos fragments are detected in soil.‍
• Regulatory compliance: As part of asbestos registers, asbestos management plans, and removal works.‍
• Workplace safety requirements: Under SafeWork NSW and WHS legislation.

How We Can Help

Nova Group Pacific supports the identification, risk assessment, and compliant management of friable asbestos within contaminated land and construction environments.

Contaminated Land

Assessment of asbestos-contaminated soils and materials, including risk evaluation and guidance on appropriate management or remediation pathways.

Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

Identification of potential asbestos risks during Phase 1 and Phase 2 investigations, supporting early decision-making and regulatory compliance.

Environmental Drilling

Controlled sampling of soil and subsurface materials where friable asbestos is suspected, using appropriate safety and contamination controls.

Site Remediation

Support for remediation strategies involving friable asbestos, including containment, removal planning, and validation requirements.

Environmental Management & Compliance

Advice on asbestos-related compliance obligations, integration of asbestos controls into CEMPs, and support meeting WHS and EPA requirements.

Contact us to discuss your project and receive expert guidance tailored to your environmental, planning, and compliance obligations.

Related Terms and Concepts

• Non-Friable Asbestos‍
• Hazardous Materials‍
• Contaminated Land‍
• Site Remediation‍
• Soil Classification‍
• Hazardous Waste‍
• Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)‍
• Construction Environmental Management Plan‍
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)