Asbestos Removal
Asbestos Removal Services
Many older industrial and commercial buildings across South Africa still have asbestos in their roofs and structures — most often in the fibre-cement roof sheeting fitted decades ago. Left undisturbed it sits quietly; but the moment it's damaged, drilled, cut, or left to weather and break down, it becomes a serious health hazard — and by law it can only be removed by an approved contractor. Sicon Group provides expert, compliant asbestos removal to protect businesses and the people who work in them.
Where Asbestos Hides in Older Buildings
If your building dates from before asbestos was phased out, it may still be present in several places:
- Asbestos-cement roof sheeting — by far the most common, on countless older factories and warehouses
- Gutters, downpipes and flashings made from the same fibre-cement
- Ceiling boards and partitioning in older offices and outbuildings
- Pipe lagging and insulation around ducting and services
- Old wall cladding on enclosures and lean-tos
Why It's Dangerous — and When
Asbestos is not a hazard simply by existing. It becomes dangerous when its fibres are released into the air — when the material is broken, drilled, cut, sanded, or has weathered and begun to crumble. Those microscopic fibres, once inhaled, can cause serious and often fatal lung disease many years later, including asbestosis and mesothelioma.
This is exactly why asbestos must never be removed as a DIY job or by a general contractor. Cutting or breaking asbestos sheeting without the right controls releases fibres that put everyone on site at risk.
It's Not Optional — It's Regulated
In South Africa, working with asbestos is strictly governed by the Asbestos Abatement Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In practice, that means asbestos removal must be:
- Carried out by an approved asbestos contractor, not a general builder
- Done to a documented removal plan, with the right containment and dust control
- Transported and disposed of at a licensed hazardous-waste facility — never in a normal skip or landfill
- Documented, with the paperwork to prove it was handled and disposed of legally
How Sicon Removes Asbestos Safely
Survey & Identification
We identify the asbestos-containing materials, assess their condition, and plan the removal — including how the work area will be isolated and how the material will be handled.
Containment & Safety Setup
The work area is sealed off and marked, the team is fitted with the correct protective equipment, and dust is suppressed by keeping the material wet — because it's dry asbestos that releases fibres.
Controlled Removal
Sheeting and materials are removed as intact as possible, without dry cutting or breaking, to keep fibre release to an absolute minimum.
Sealing, Bagging & Transport
The removed material is wrapped and sealed, clearly labelled as asbestos, and transported under the correct controls to a licensed site.
Licensed Disposal & Documentation
Everything is disposed of at an approved hazardous-waste facility, and you receive the documentation confirming it was removed and destroyed legally.
Removal Is the Perfect Time to Re-Roof
Once the old asbestos sheeting is off, your roof is open — which makes it the ideal moment to install new, safe sheeting and cladding. Rather than remove the asbestos and then start a separate re-roofing project, Sicon can handle both in one continuous job: strip the asbestos safely, then re-sheet the building with a modern, compliant roof.
"Asbestos is safe left alone and dangerous once disturbed — so the two worst things you can do are ignore degrading sheeting, or let an unqualified contractor rip it out. Legal, controlled removal protects your people and your business."
Remove Asbestos Safely and Legally
If your building still has asbestos sheeting, don't let anyone disturb it without the right controls. Contact Sicon Group for a compliant asbestos assessment and removal — nationwide.
Contact Sicon Group