Asbestos Advice: What to Do If You Spot It at Work

4 Sep 2025

Most people expect asbestos to show up during demolition or heavy construction. In reality, it often turns up during the most routine jobs. Drilling into an old partition or repairing a pipe wrap can all uncover materials that turn out to be asbestos.

The danger is that it looks ordinary. Unless you’ve worked with it before, you won’t know for sure. That’s why workplace health and safety rules in Ireland are crystal clear: if you think you’ve found asbestos at your place of work, you need to stop, report it, and let qualified professionals take over.

Here’s a step-by-step look at the right path to take…

Step #1 - Stop and Step Back

Don’t disturb the material. Leave it where it is, close off the area if possible, and make sure others stay clear until it’s checked.

Step #2 - Report It

The next thing to do is to tell your supervisor or site safety officer. Even if you’re not sure, raising the concern means proper workplace risk assessments can be carried out and the right people brought in.

Step #3 - Call in Specialists

Only trained asbestos surveyors can test suspect material. If asbestos is confirmed, licensed asbestos companies must carry out the asbestos removal and disposal. Doing it yourself is simply against Irish safety regulations.

Step #4 - Secure the Area and Plan Removal

In order to stop anyone from walking into the area and keep fibres from spreading, the space has to be sealed off, with barriers and controlled techniques. Every job should follow a written plan, backed by solid workplace risk management.

Step #5 - Dispose Correctly

Asbestos waste must be double-wrapped, labelled, and removed by authorised handlers. Clearance testing confirms the area is safe before anyone goes back in.

Let OHSS Help You Deal With Asbestos Safely

Asbestos is one of those hazards where confidence comes only from experience. A mistake on site might not show its effects for decades, and that’s not a risk worth taking. The safest option is always to step back and let the experts in occupational safety handle the problem.

At OHSS, our health and safety consultants support businesses with everything from asbestos surveys to full asbestos abatement projects. 

To find out more about us and what we do, take a look around our website. Alternatively, to get in touch for advice or assistance, call 01 6905907 today.

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