Asbestos registers for workplaces

An asbestos register is a document that lists all identified or assumed asbestos in a workplace. Its purpose is to provide information on the location of any asbestos in the workplace to avoid accidental damage and exposure.

If you manage or have control of a workplace, it is your responsibility to make sure an asbestos register is prepared, maintained and made available at the workplace.

The asbestos register must be available to any person carrying out, or intending to carry out work at the workplace, as well as the health and safety representatives of those workers.

What is in a register?

The asbestos register must:

  • record any asbestos that has been identified or is assumed to be present at the workplace
  • record the date when the asbestos was identified
  • record the location, type and condition of the asbestos
  • be maintained to ensure up-to-date information
  • be given to the employer or business when there is a change of management or controller of the workplace

The asbestos register must also state that no asbestos is identified at the workplace if the person who manages or controls the workplace knows that no asbestos has been identified and asbestos is not likely to be present in the workplace from time to time.

An asbestos register may also contain information such as:

  • results of any tests confirming whether a material at the workplace is or is not asbestos
  • details of inaccessible areas

Where possible asbestos must be labelled. Photographs or drawings are useful for showing the location of asbestos in the workplace.

Preparing an asbestos register

An asbestos register template is available in the Code of Practice: How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace as well as an example of a completed asbestos register.

It is strongly recommended that a competent person collects all samples for testing and the testing is done by a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratory.

A competent person in the identification of asbestos and ACM include:

  • occupational hygienists who have experience with asbestos and ACM
  • licensed asbestos assessors
  • asbestos removal supervisors
  • individuals who have a statement of attainment in the Vocational Education and Training course for asbestos assessors
  • a person working for an organisation accredited by the NATA under ISO 17020 for surveying asbestos

A list of asbestos assessors and businesses licensed to remove asbestos are available on the NT WorkSafe website.

When is a register not required?

An asbestos register is not required for a workplace if:

  • the workplace is a building constructed after 31 December 2003; and
  • no asbestos has been identified in the workplace; and
  • no asbestos is likely to be present at the workplace from time-to-time