If your roof is made of older fibre-cement sheets, assume it may contain asbestos until it has been tested. In South Africa, removing or working on asbestos-containing materials is controlled by the Asbestos Abatement Regulations, 2020, issued under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the removal must be done by a registered asbestos contractor, not an ordinary roofing team. A general contractor can coordinate the job and the new roof, but the asbestos part must be done by the right specialist.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Check the current regulations and requirements with the Department of Employment and Labour or a registered asbestos specialist before any work starts.
How to tell if a roof might contain asbestos
Asbestos cement was widely used in South Africa for corrugated roof sheets, gutters, downpipes, ceilings and wall boards, mostly in buildings from before the 2000s. It looks like grey fibre-cement sheeting and often has a slightly rough, weathered surface.
You cannot confirm asbestos by looking. A sample has to be taken and analysed by a laboratory, and taking the sample should itself be done carefully by someone trained to do it.
Why it matters
Asbestos fibres are a health risk when they get into the air and are breathed in. Intact, undisturbed sheets release very little. Problems start when the material is:
- Cut, drilled or sanded
- Broken or walked on
- Cleaned with high-pressure water or wire brushes
- Badly weathered and crumbling
That is why the most important rule for owners is simple: do not disturb the sheets yourself, and do not let anyone drill, cut or break them without proper controls. This includes fitting brackets for solar panels, satellite dishes or new roof structures.
What the regulations require, in outline
The Asbestos Abatement Regulations, 2020 place duties on owners, employers and contractors. In broad terms:
- Know what you have. Owners are expected to identify asbestos-containing materials on their property and manage them safely.
- Use a registered asbestos contractor for removal and other regulated asbestos work.
- Plan the work properly. Removal is done under a written plan of work, with controls to stop fibres spreading, protective equipment, and safe handling of waste.
- Dispose of waste correctly. Asbestos waste must be wrapped, labelled and taken to a site licensed to accept it. It must never go into ordinary skips or building rubble.
- Check the area afterwards. Air monitoring and a clearance inspection by an approved inspection authority are used to confirm the area is safe before it is handed back.
The exact requirements depend on the type and amount of material and the work involved, so the registered contractor should explain what applies to your job.
A typical roof replacement, step by step
- Inspection and testing to confirm whether the roof contains asbestos and in what condition it is.
- Quotes for both the asbestos removal (from a registered asbestos contractor) and the new roof.
- Plan of work and notifications prepared by the asbestos contractor.
- Removal of the sheets under controlled conditions, with waste sealed and taken to a licensed site.
- Clearance of the area before other trades continue.
- New roof installation, often with improved waterproofing, insulation and gutters while the roof is open.
Questions to ask before you appoint anyone
- Can you show proof of your registration as an asbestos contractor?
- Who will do the air monitoring and clearance inspection?
- Where will the asbestos waste be disposed of, and will I get the disposal certificate?
- How will you protect neighbours, tenants and the rest of the building during removal?
- Who is responsible for the new roof, and is the quote for both parts clear?
SiteFlow Projects coordinates asbestos roof replacements with correctly registered specialists, and handles the new roof and related building work. See our remedial repairs and roofing services.