It was a bright Tuesday morning when Joe, a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience, arrived at Winter Gardens* to repair a leaking pipe. The work order directed him to the maintenance room, where the original plumbing ran through the ceiling.

What Joe didn’t know—and what no one had told him—was that the ceiling contained asbestos-containing material (ACM). There was no asbestos management plan or register onsite. The building, constructed in the early 1980s, once had these documents—but they were accidentally discarded when a committee member cleaned out the old red compliance box.

Joe started cutting. As fibrous dust floated down, no one suspected a problem—until a resident casually mentioned “asbestos” two days later. By then, the damage was done: asbestos fibres had been picked up on shoes and spread throughout the complex.

The result?

• Urgent emails and panicked document searches
• A rush asbestos inspection confirming friable ACM and updated documents for site
• Thousands in emergency remediation costs
• Delays for residents
• Medical testing for Joe and residents
• A potential liability issue for the body corporate

Why is the Body Corporate Liable?

Bodies corporate in Queensland have specific legal duties regarding asbestos, especially in common property. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), they are required to identify asbestos-containing materials, maintain an asbestos register, and prepare an asbestos management plan. These must be accessible to anyone carrying out work on the property and reviewed every 5 years.

Had this information been available on-site, Joe could have read the asbestos report and taken proper precautions before lifting a tool. Instead, the lack of accessible information placed the body corporate at risk.

One Simple Fix Could Have Prevented It All: BIPP

Building Information on Premises Portal (BIPP) is a digital solution designed specifically for shared properties like a body corporate complex. It ensures contractors, residents, and visitors can access critical information—when and where it’s needed.

A permanent QR code sign installed at key access points (e.g., foyers or service areas) links to a secure portal containing:

• Hazardous materials reports and safety registers
• Site maps and emergency procedures
• Contractor sign-in form and acknowledgement of key responsibilities
• Resident notices and urgent updates

Avoid Your Own “Joe” Scenario

Don’t wait until something goes wrong. BIPP is easy to implement, easy to manage, and provides real protection for owners, committees, and residents.

Book a demo: 1300 136 036
Or email: [email protected]

BIPP is powered by Solutions in Engineering

*Names changed for confidentiality.