At the D&A AUS 2025 Conference in Perth, Edward (Ed) Rowley, Associate Consultant and Offshore Environments Lead for Tetra Tech Coffey, delivered a compelling presentation on one of the most underestimated risks in decommissioning and asset retirement – legacy hazardous materials.
In his session, “Hazardous Materials and Occupational Hygiene Management in Offshore Decommissioning” Ed shared insights from recent offshore and onshore case studies, highlighting the project impacts of substances like asbestos, lead, PCBs, and radioactive residues – materials that are often invisible, undocumented, and only discovered once works are already underway.
“These materials are often invisible, undocumented, and underestimated. But they’re capable of stopping a project in its tracks — and they often do” – Ed Rowley
Ed walked the audience through real-world examples, including recent works off the North West Shelf, where unexpected hazmat findings triggered work stoppages, reactive sampling, and revised risk controls. His key message: hazardous material risk needs to be actively managed from the earliest stages of project planning.
He offered a practical framework used across Tetra Tech Coffey projects:
- Start early – Engaging asset owners before mobilisation
- Close data gaps – Not relying solely on legacy documents
- Validate on site – Using physical sampling to confirm assumptions
- Plan controls – Ensuring PPE, work methods, and communication are in place
- Align stakeholders – Involving clients, contractors, unions, and regulators
“Hazmat surveys aren’t clearance certificates,” Ed explained. “They’re hazard maps – tools to guide control and inform efficient project planning.”
His presentation reinforced the importance of proactive hazmat planning in delivering safer, more predictable project outcomes across the decommissioning lifecycle.
Connect with Ed Rowley | Maritime and Offshore Environments Lead [email protected]