Asbestos Cement Roof Safety in Gosford and the Central Coast

What asbestos cement roof safety in Gosford and the Central Coast actually involves

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 bars a business from using high-pressure water spray or compressed air on asbestos. SafeWork NSW's own safety alert is unambiguous: never use high-pressure water or compressed air to clean an asbestos roof. In April 2017 a contractor's high-pressure clean of an asbestos roof caused widespread contamination, and neighbouring properties had to be vacated during the clean-up. The NSW Government's advice is also not to sand, scrub, water-blast, cut or drill suspected asbestos.

Removing it: the 10 m² line

Removing more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos, such as corrugated cement sheeting, needs a Class B or Class A asbestos removal licence; 10 m² or less is exempt. Any friable asbestos needs a Class A licence holder regardless of area. Not every roof needs to come off: corrugated asbestos in good condition can instead be sealed with paint, which the painting page covers.

Before anyone climbs up

Roof sheeting can become brittle over time. SafeWork NSW says not to walk on skylights, or plastic or asbestos roof sheeting, unless a competent person has assessed it as structurally sound, because asbestos roofs are brittle and easy to fall through. Buildings from before 1990 may contain asbestos, and the NSW Government's advice is to contact a licensed asbestos assessor first if you are unsure when the house was built. It estimates that 1 in 3 houses built or renovated in NSW between 1945 and 1990 contain asbestos.

If a small piece has to go to the tip, Central Coast Council takes asbestos generated in the Central Coast area at its Woy Woy and Buttonderry facilities: book at least 24 hours ahead and double-wrap it in plastic at least 200 microns thick. Bonded asbestos damaged by fire, hail or water blasting can become friable and then needs a licensed friable-asbestos removal contractor. It must never go in a household bin or be recycled, reused, buried or dumped.

Asbestos Cement Roof Safety in Gosford and the Central Coast — common questions

Can I clean my fibro or 'super six' roof with a water blaster?

No. Never use high-pressure water, a hose trigger attachment or compressed air on an asbestos cement roof: it is barred for a business under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025, and SafeWork NSW's own safety alert says the same for anyone.

How do I know if my roof has asbestos?

Buildings from before 1990 may contain it, including corrugated 'super six' roofing. If you are not sure when the house was built or renovated, contact a licensed asbestos assessor before any work.

When does removal need a licence?

Removing more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos needs a Class B or Class A licence; 10 m² or less is exempt. Friable asbestos needs a Class A licence at any area.