If you have just drilled, sanded, or broken a material and you suspect it contains asbestos, stop work immediately. Do not panic, but follow these steps to keep yourself and your family safe.

  • Leave the room: Get everyone out and close the door.
  • Seal the area: Put a damp towel at the base of the door to stop fibres from drifting.
  • Switch off the air: Turn off any fans, heaters, or air conditioning.
  • Don’t vacuum: Never use a domestic vacuum or a broom. This will only spread the fibres further into the air.
  • Wash up: If you have dust on your skin or hair, shower immediately. Put any contaminated clothes in a sealed plastic bag.

Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye and can stay floating in the air for days. A professional surveyor can perform air monitoring and material sampling to confirm the risk level and advise on a safe clean up process.