By May 2022, all buildings in South Africa must have an Asbestos Register and be registered on IPWIS.
The Asbestos Abatement Regulations are now being strictly enforced in Cape Town and across South Africa. Asbestos has been outlawed, and the Department of Employment and Labour is taking decisive steps to eliminate it from all structures such as homes, schools, factories, offices, warehouses, retail centres, residential complexes, and industrial facilities.
According to Indawo, a registered asbestos contractor, the responsibility now rests with building owners to comply with these regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993).
Regulatory Requirements
From November 2020, building owners were given 18 months to:
• Appoint a competent person to identify asbestos-containing materials on site.
• Conduct a risk assessment to evaluate potential exposure.
• Create a written inventory of all asbestos present.
• Develop an asbestos management plan, including timelines and procedures for safe removal.
• Register their building on the IPWIS database.
• Notify the Chief Inspector and obtain written approval before any asbestos-related work begins.
Understanding Asbestos Work Types
Geoffrey Jäck, Managing Director at Indawo, explains that asbestos work is classified into three types:
Type 1: Minor work (e.g. painting or removal of less than 10m² of asbestos) that does not require contractor registration, but does require prior written approval from the Department.
Type 2: Includes repairs or removal that require surface preparation. Contractors must be Type 2 registered with the Department.
Type 3: Encompasses the removal or encapsulation of any asbestos-containing materials. Only Type 3 registered contractors may perform this work.
Why This Matters
Failure to comply with these regulations not only poses serious health risks but also exposes building owners to legal consequences. In coastal regions like the Western Cape, ageing asbestos materials - especially in roofs, gutters, and insulation—are common and can deteriorate quickly under harsh conditions.
The identification of asbestos must be carried out by trained professionals, as modern materials may resemble asbestos but do not pose the same risks.
Indawo's Role
Indawo is a registered asbestos contractor with the Department of Employment and Labour and can assist building owners in meeting all compliance requirements—from site assessment to asbestos removal and regulatory reporting.
Let Indawo guide you through a safe, legal, and effective asbestos management process.
Contact Indawo
📞 021 941 5000
📧 info@indawo.biz
