Asbestos:

What you need to know before renovating The hidden hazard

or demolishing a building at workplaces
Asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
were commonly used in buildings that were built
before 1989 when asbestos was banned in Singapore.

These materials can be found in corrugated roof References

sheets, ceiling boards, wall partition boards, rubbish 1. Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines on Management and
chutes, floor vinyl sheets or tiles, pipe insulation and Removal of Asbestos (https://www.wshc.sg/files/wshc/upload/
acoustic panels. cms/file/2014/WSH__Guidelines_Management_and_Removal_
of_Asbestos.pdf )

2. Workplace Safety and Health (Asbestos) Regulations 2014

(http://www.mom.gov.sg/legislation/workplace-safety-
Asbestos Hazard and-health)
Exposure to asbestos dust during demolition or
renovation of buildings can cause fatal lung diseases 3. List of service providers for asbestos survey (https://www.
such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. wshc.sg/files/wshc/upload/cms/file/2014/20141119_List_of_
The diseases usually take 15-30 years to appear after Companies_Providing_Asbestos_Survey_Services.pdf )
exposure. According to the World Health Organization,
4. List of MOM Approved Asbestos Removal Contractor (http://
more than 107,000 people die each year from
www.mom.gov.sg/workplace-safety-and-health/wsh-service-
asbestos-related diseases resulting from occupational
providers/find-approved-service-providers/find-asbestos-
exposures to asbestos. Measures should be taken to
removal-contractor#/)
prevent exposure to asbestos before any building work
is carried out. 5. List of NEA Approved Asbestos Waste Contractor (http://www.
nea.gov.sg/anti-pollution-radiation-protection/chemical-safety/
hazardous-substances/list-of-companies-to-contact-for-
disposal-of-asbestos-waste-at-semakau-landfill)
Workplace Safety and Health
(Asbestos) Regulations2 For more information on asbestos-removal work, you may
Among other things, the Regulations require an refer to the Workplace Safety and Health Council website at
asbestos survey to be conducted by a competent www.wshc.sg/asbestos.
person3 to ascertain the presence of ACMs before
carrying out any building works in buildings built
before 1 Jan 1991. Asbestos-removal work shall only
be carried out by an Approved Asbestos Removal
Contractor4. ACMs shall as far as is reasonably
practicable, be removed before demolition work starts.
Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs)
Roof sheets
What you need to do?
Before carrying out any renovation or demolition work, check the age of To prevent exposure to asbestos, do not remove any structure or fittings
the building. that are affixed to the building. You must conduct a survey to identify any
ACMs in the building. You may start renovation or demolition work only
If the building was built before 1 Jan 1991, you must engage a competent after the identified ACMs have been removed from the building.
person to conduct a survey3 to ascertain the presence of asbestos-containing
Ceiling boards Roofing felt materials (ACMs) in the building.

If ACMs are found in the building, you must engage an MOM Approved Asbestos
Removal Contractor (AARC)4 to remove them.

All asbestos waste must be disposed of by NEA Approved Asbestos

Wall panels Wall cladding Disposal Contractors5.

Buildings built Do not remove cables and wall fittings.

before 1 Jan 1991

Ventilation panels or pigeon hole ventilation blocks ACMs are present

Conduct an
asbestos survey

Vinyl sheets Vinyl tiles Engage an AARC

Do not remove doors and windows.

No ACMs

Remove ACMs and

Rubbish chute linings Electrical Insulation board engage approved
asbestos disposal
contractor

Start renovation or
Pipe insulation Lift brake pad demolition work
You may refer to Annex A of WSH Guidelines on Management and Removal of Asbestos1 for the list of
materials that may contain asbestos. Do not remove walls, ceiling or flooring.