Businesses utilising the services of asbestos testing providers are advised to remain vigilant. One asbestos testing company, in particular, is being investigated by the Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

The company and its director are being investigated for allegedly charging customers to test asbestos samples but failing to have them tested.

The OFT began investigating after receiving a complaint from a regional Queensland council. It found that the company had been consistently invoicing clients for samples taken but not tested.

WorkSafe Victoria Executive director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, said that if the allegations proved correct, the company’s behaviour was “outrageous”.

“Asbestos is a dangerous substance, which is why employers put their faith in companies such as this one to ensure appropriate testing is conducted,” Ms Williams said.

“Employers need to have confidence that testing procedures are carried out to ensure workplace health and safety is never compromised.”

Ms Williams said any business who had engaged Asbestos Audit should check whether the company had provided NATA-accredited analysis reports for all samples taken at their site as part of the report.

“If such reports have not been, or cannot be, provided, they should organise for a competent person to re-take those samples and have them analysed by a NATA accredited laboratory,” she said.

Any Victorian business or consumer who has used the company and have concerns about its testing procedures should contact the Queensland OFT by calling 13 74 68 or make a complaint online at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading.

For expert advice on how to make your workplace safer contact ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132. Protect your staff with ISOsafe’s asbestos awareness training and safety programs.