SafeTraceAcademyReading a Meth Testing Report: Checklist for Insurers & Loss Adjusters
Use this checklist to read a meth testing report and decide what to ask before you rely on it.
General information only, not legal or claims advice. Cover questions: always check the policy wording.
What was done
- Scope and property details stated?
- Sampling date and report date given?
- Who did the work, and their qualifications?
- Method stated, such as NIOSH 9111?
- Sample type stated: discrete or composite?
What was found
- Each sample location listed, ideally on a plan?
- Units given, and each result read against 0.5 µg/100cm²?
- Laboratory results attached from a NATA-accredited laboratory?
- Chain of custody record: who handled each sample?
- Limitations: what wasn't covered?
Reading the results
- Screening (negative, partial positive, positive) is an indication only.
- Read each location against 0.5 µg/100cm². Never average results.
- Composite results can't be compared directly with 0.5 or converted.
- One figure for several rooms? Ask if it's a composite.
- Need room-by-room results? Ask promptly. Samples are held for limited time.
Independence and next steps
- Is the tester separate from the remediation contractor?
- Does the report state the tester's independence?
- Above the level: occupational hygienist assesses and prepares a scope of works.
- Re-sampling: by a tester independent of the remediation contractor.
- Formal clearance: an occupational hygienist the client engages.
If something is missing
- A gap is a question, not proof of a problem.
- Ask the report's author in writing, in neutral words.
- Compare reports, never businesses.
- Vehicle report? Ask which criteria were used and where they come from.
- File notes: dated, factual, linked to documents.
Site visit: signs of a possible lab? STOP, LEAVE, CALL
- Strong chemical smells, or containers and equipment you can't explain.
- Don't touch, open or move anything. Leave straight away.
- Call police: 000 in an emergency, or 131 444 for non-urgent matters.
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