Resources.

Having to deal with asbestos can be overwhelming. Let us help you make sense of it all with our resources and blogs.

Scroll down to read our latest blogs written by our expert team of asbestos consultants.

Got a topic you want us to write about? Get in touch!

  • Absolutely! While we don’t remove asbestos ourselves, we can take care of the process for you.

    We offer beginning to end service and we will be your one point of contact. We will provide the removal specification, request tenders and carry out due diligence, present the quotes to you to choose from, oversee the removal work, communicate the progress and provide any air monitoring and clearance inspections the project requires.

    Being independent of the asbestos removal contractors, you can depend on us giving you impartial advice and high quality inspections. This means you will have confidence in getting your site or property handed back to you, knowing it is safe.

    Check out our blog below for more details.

  • There are lots of different types of training depending on the type of work you will be doing.

    Thankfully, you are in the right place, we are passionate about everyone being educated about asbestos and getting the right training for them.

    Have a read through our blog discussing the different types of training. More details are on our training page.

  • If you are asking, then probably yes!

    Have you found a material that you think might be asbestos? Then we can pop out and sample it safely for you. We are all trained in safe sampling and handling techniques. This is not a full survey so if you need something more, read on….

    Do you want to identify asbestos in your property or workplace so you can manage the risk? Then you need an Asbestos Management Survey. This allows for normal every day use, minor maintenance and

    Are you planning renovations or remodelling? Then you will need an Asbestos Refurbishment Survey so any asbestos that will be affected by the project can be removed safely before you get started.

    Are you demolishing part or all of a building? Then you need an Asbestos Demolition Survey. We will try to find all the asbestos hidden in the building so it can be safely removed before demolition starts.

    Check out our blog below that explains different surveys in more detail.

  • Hmm, not a short answer. It depends!

    It comes down to risk. Some materials are high risk based on either what they are or where they are.

    We will be able to help you work out the risk and work out the priority for removal if it is required.

    But not everything needs to be removed. Some materials can be managed safely using your asbestos management plan, training and a reinspection schedule.

    For a more in depth explanation, check out this blog.

  • Great question!

    You want to make sure you have the right people for the job. Here is what you get from us:

    • a team of experienced and qualified asbestos professionals, all passionate about safety

    • impartial advice - we are independent so you know the recommendations we give will be based on what you need to do to manage the risk

    • over 80 years of combined industry experience

    • access to a wide range of services to choose from and tailor to your needs

    • a project manager to be your main point of contact for continuity - doesn’t matter if the project is big or small, we work for you

    • good communication throughout the project - you will be kept up to date of progress

    Give us a call and let us show you how we will make dealing with asbestos as pain free as possible.

  • When a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is found guilty of breaching their obligations, severe penalties can be imposed on both the individual and the business.

    A PCBU who contravenes subclause (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction for an individual, to a fine not exceeding $10,000, for any other person, to a fine not exceeding $50,000.

  • The person or organisation with sole responsibility for the upkeep or repair of non-domestic properties, such as through a tenancy agreement or contract, is the PCBU. The owner of the non-domestic premises and person conducting a business or undertaking is also known as the PCBU.

    Why does this matter?

    A PCBU (person in charge) has a legal responsibility to carry out work in accordance with Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016. Complying with your responsibilities will ensure you avoid any legal action from authorities regarding the health and safety of workers and personnel on site and the environment.

    How to protect yourself and workers from asbestos exposure:

    Assess - Using a reputable asbestos survey provider, you can carry out an asbestos survey to determine whether the premises contains asbestos. The condition and location of asbestos, as well as the risk factors, will be explained in your asbestos survey report.

    Plan - assess the risk from the asbestos present in the premises. Your surveyor will have assessed the risk the material presents. You can also request an additional “priority assessment”, which assesses the risk based on the activities of building users combined with the material risk assessment to aid with asbestos management. You don't need the priority assessment for refurbishment and demolition projects.

    Implement - Action any recommendations to remove or remediate asbestos containing materials. Keep any clearance certificates as proof work has been carried out. Ensure you are checking the condition of remaining asbestos containing materials in line with the asbestos management plan. Check the training records of workers who are coming to the site and make sure they are checking the asbestos

    The following steps are to manage the risks:

    Prepare and implement an asbestos management plan

    Review and identify the risk of asbestos containing materials and decide how you will manage the risk - be it removal, making the materials safe or monitoring the materials for changes to condition.

    Assess work that might expose employees to asbestos

    Share information with anyone at risk, such as other employers (e.g., building contractors), who are likely to disturb any asbestos present so that appropriate controls and procedures can be implemented while the work is being done.

    Use control measures to keep exposure to the lowest possible level.

    Ensure all workers have the correct asbestos training to do their jobs safely.

  • As a responsible homeowner or business in charge of conducting works on a property, you are responsible for:

    Conducting an asbestos survey.

    Managing asbestos risk.

    Safeguarding people and the environment.

    For more free information, please refer to the code of practice and guidelines set out in Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.

    Navigating asbestos can be a challenging task. Having someone you can depend on for advice and experience can make all the difference to the safe completion of a job.

Better training for a safer asbestos industry.
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Better training for a safer asbestos industry.

It is not uncommon for training to be seen as a box ticking exercise. Something that has to be done before something else can happen.

That is certainly true in the asbestos industry, especially when it comes to asbestos removal. Asbestos removal operatives must hold NZQA unit standards to carry out licensed asbestos removal work.

Fun fact, "SQN" - Sine Qua Non - means without which not, or something that you need before something else. Very apt in this situation!

Does that mean we need to offer the bare minimum to our students? From speaking with both students and employers, we believe everyone wants the same thing - workers to be safe - but how do we get there when there is an expectation to get training done and dusted in a single day?

Here is where we are super proud of our latest program with Besafe Training: Environmental Decontamination.

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But we don’t have to worry about asbestos anymore, do we?
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

But we don’t have to worry about asbestos anymore, do we?

If we had a dollar for every time someone said: "But we don’t have to worry about asbestos anymore, do we?"

This is definitely a very frequently asked question in it’s various forms! “But we haven’t used asbestos for years”, or “All the asbestos has been removed from here”, and “There is no asbestos here”. Or how about “Nah, that’s not asbestos” and never forget “I have worked with asbestos for years and I’m fine”.

These are the famous last words we are told by clients, builders, tradies and site managers before we start a survey. More often than not, when someone says something like this (with confidence), we will find asbestos. No, we are not bringing it with us! But it is just the way it seems to go - Murphy’s Law.

Read the full blog now.

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Flood damaged property - being aware of asbestos containing building materials
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Flood damaged property - being aware of asbestos containing building materials

Dear Tamaki Makaurau Auckland,

What a week we have had already. Very few of us knew what was coming on Friday 27 January, let alone the scale of devastation that would befall our big city.

If you are worried about the flood damage to your property, please contact us now for free advice and support.

Read on to understand what the risks are and how you can minimise the harm to yourself and your community.

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10 scary asbestos facts (it is the spooky month after all!)
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

10 scary asbestos facts (it is the spooky month after all!)

With good asbestos management, we can mitigate the risk of asbestos day to day. But this hasn’t always been the case.

We at SQN support you with taking the scariness out of asbestos. Our approach is always risk based and we bring you pragmatic asbestos solutions. But since October is the spooky month, we thought we would share some of the scarier facts about asbestos that we are all collectively working away from.

Read these 10 facts we have compiled for you and tell us what you found the most surprising.

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Demolition time!
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Demolition time!

If you have ever seen the aftermath of an Asbestos Demolition Survey, you will understand why we usually ask for for the property to be empty before we get started.

Not seen what happens on an Asbestos Demolition Survey? Let us show you more….

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Peek behind the scenes of asbestos removal project management
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Peek behind the scenes of asbestos removal project management

Join us behind the fencing of a project we recently managed….

Humans are naturally curious. So when we see fencing around a building site, of course we are interested about what is going on. Especially if it is a building we pass often.

Let us take you through the steps of this tricky job and how we kept the work on schedule, on budget and safe. Watch the short video below and scroll through our blog to read more detail.

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5 reasons to train with SQN
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

5 reasons to train with SQN

How do you choose your training provider for asbestos training? Reputation? Quality? Location? Available dates? Independent? Or price….?

You likely have a priority list because you can’t always have everything you want!

What value does SQN offer?

Read our latest blog to find out what is important to us when it come to giving you a great learning experience

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Don’t create an asbestos horror story….
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Don’t create an asbestos horror story….

Asbestos doesn’t break down, it isn’t going anywhere fast. We have been dealing with it for decades and will continue to deal with it for many more.

During our work, we unfortunately come across asbestos containing materials (ACM) in bad condition. Sometimes it is just time that has weathered and damaged these materials, but too often it is human damage.

We often talk about the asbestos legacy, but do you want to be part of a positive change, or one of the horror stories?

Read some of our discoveries and learn from the mistakes of others!

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Do I need asbestos training?
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Do I need asbestos training?

Do I need asbestos training?

If you are asking this question, the answer is probably yes. What training depends on the type of work you are doing though. Have a read of this blog to learn more. We are covering asbestos related work, asbestos removal work and asbestos assessors.

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Got asbestos that needs to be removed?
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Got asbestos that needs to be removed?

One thing we have noticed is that people want just one point of contact for the asbestos part of their projects. Whether this is a multimillion dollar redevelopment, a property management company or the owner of a single house.

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Why do I need another survey?
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Why do I need another survey?

So, you have your asbestos management survey, it is probably part of your asbestos management plan *tick* - but now you want to renovate or demolish your property.

Or, you have an asbestos refurbishment survey for your project *tick* - but now your scope of work has changed and the survey doesn’t cover all the works you will be carrying out.

What do you need to do next?

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Are there different types of asbestos surveys?
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Are there different types of asbestos surveys?

Asbestos can be found in both the surfaces and the fabric of buildings so we often need to carry out different types of inspections based on what your needs are. Do you just want to know if there is asbestos in your property or workplace? Are you planning renovations or demolition?

Read our blog where we summarise of each type of survey and what they cover.

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Asbestos Management vs Removal
Alannah Elliott Alannah Elliott

Asbestos Management vs Removal

Is it best to remove all the asbestos containing materials (ACM), or manage them in your property? It is a matter of working out the risk of asbestos exposure (harm to life) then assessing your budget to work out whether asbestos management, remediation or removal will keep you and everyone else safe.

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