Although South Africa banned the mining of asbestos and manufacture of products containing it in 2008, it still makes up a large proportion of the material components found in existing buildings.

The toxin was used extensively during the 1940’s and 50’s in construction materials such as acoustical plaster, paint and insulation for its many attributes including strength, incombustibility and sound absorption capabilities. Back then it probably wasn’t conceivable that the wonder product was actually a health hazard in disguise.

According to Richard Williams, Group CEO of the Gordon Verhoef and Krause (GVK) Group of Companies, “The major concern with asbestos is that the effects of asbestos exposure and symptoms of associated diseases are only felt several years afterwards – meaning that employee and public exposure levels are undetectable until it is too late. Thus the inherent risk of acquiring property containing asbestos has become a critical consideration for astute property buyers, particularly since the promulgation of the Asbestos Regulations Act.”

He continues, “Building owners have a legal obligation to perform a survey of the building to ascertain and quantify the presence of asbestos. This requires an Approved Inspection Authority (AIA) to identify and examine the asbestos, complete an inventory and determine a course of action. As a result the owner may be required to repair sections containing asbestos, have it removed completely or encapsulated so that it no longer poses a threat to building occupants.”

As a registered asbestos contractor, GVK assists building owners to fulfil their obligations by carrying out the safe removal and disposal of asbestos. “Specific work procedures need to be designed to ensure that the collection and disposal of asbestos products is carried out in a uniform and safe manner. The removal, transportation and disposal of the asbestos is a slow, careful and deliberate process as the contaminated material, if not handled in the correct manner, could release asbestos fibres into the environment, thereby endangering tenants as well as public health,” explains Williams.  

During the removal and disposal process, GVK conducts frequent inspections to ensure that all the work undertaken is in accordance with the Asbestos Regulations found under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The work must also meet the requirements of the Environment Conservation Act.

“In cases where asbestos is left in place, an Asbestos Management Plan must be introduced. Furthermore it is required by law that the asbestos be assessed and monitored every 24 months and that appropriate action be taken if the nature of it has changed,” says Williams.

He adds that, “Building owners or landlords have a statutory duty of care to provide tenants with the information contained in the Asbestos Inventory and Management Plan. Likewise, these tenants, who are often employers, have a legal duty to inform their employees, subcontractors and visitors to the building about the potential asbestos risks.”

On an even more sobering note: “The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately 125 million people around the world are exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In addition, more than 107 000 people die each year from diseases resulting from occupational exposure. Thus, on top of fulfilling the legal requirements of the occupational Health and Safety Act along with the Asbestos Regulations, building owners have a moral obligation to ensure that any asbestos risks are handled by a registered asbestos contractor,” Williams concludes.