New Zealand's biggest work-related disease killer — and how the law expects you to manage it
Asbestos is New Zealand's leading cause of work-related disease death. Under the Asbestos Regulations 2016 you must manage asbestos that's present — with an asbestos management plan where it's identified or likely — and only remove it safely. Removing friable asbestos needs a Class A licence; removing more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos needs at least a Class B licence.
Asbestos was built into thousands of New Zealand buildings, and disturbing it decades later still kills.
From the 1950s to the 1980s asbestos went into a huge range of building products — roofing, cladding, lining, insulation, vinyl and more. When those materials are disturbed, fibres become airborne and, once breathed in, can cause fatal lung diseases years or decades later. That delay is what makes asbestos so dangerous: the harm is invisible at the time. Assume any building constructed or renovated before 2000 may contain asbestos until you know otherwise.
The Regulations split into managing asbestos that's in place, and the rules for removing it.
If asbestos is present and in good condition, often the safest thing is to manage it in place rather than disturb it — which is what an asbestos management plan is for. When asbestos does need to come out, it must be removed safely, and in most cases by a licensed removalist. Knowing which situation you're in — manage or remove — is the first decision.
Where asbestos is identified, or you presume it's present, you must have a written asbestos management plan.
The plan is a written record of where the asbestos is (or is presumed to be), its condition, how it will be managed, who is responsible, and what to do in an emergency. It must be kept up to date and accessible to the people who need it — including contractors coming to work on the building. If your workers go to a site where asbestos may be present, you should be asking the building owner whether a management plan exists.
Who can remove asbestos depends on whether it's friable, and how much there is.
| Situation | What's required |
|---|---|
| Friable asbestos | Must be removed by a holder of a Class A asbestos removal licence (friable asbestos crumbles easily and is the most dangerous). |
| More than 10 m² non-friable | Must be removed by a holder of at least a Class B asbestos removal licence. |
| 10 m² or less non-friable | Can be removed without a licence, but must still be done safely with the right controls and training. |
| Licensed removal | Must be notified to WorkSafe before it starts, with air monitoring and clearance — Class A clearance by an independent licensed assessor. |
Health monitoring must start within 4 weeks of a worker starting licensed asbestos removal work. WorkSafe's Approved Code of Practice sets out the detail.
The most dangerous moment is disturbing asbestos you didn't know was there.
Before any refurbishment or demolition of an older building, identify whether asbestos is present — through a survey by a competent person — and don't disturb materials until you know. Power tools, demolition and dry sweeping all release fibres. If asbestos is found, plan its management or licensed removal before the work proceeds, and make sure everyone on site knows it's there.
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Yes, if asbestos has been identified at your workplace, or you presume it is present. The Asbestos Regulations 2016 require a written management plan recording where the asbestos is, its condition, how it will be managed, who is responsible, and emergency procedures, kept up to date and accessible.
Friable asbestos must be removed by a Class A licence holder, and more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos needs at least a Class B licence holder. You may remove 10 m² or less of non-friable asbestos without a licence, but it must still be done safely with proper controls and training.
Friable asbestos can be crumbled to powder by hand and releases fibres easily, making it the most dangerous — it requires a Class A licence to remove. Non-friable (bonded) asbestos is held in a solid material and is lower-risk unless disturbed, but large amounts still require a licensed removalist.
Asbestos was widely used in building products until around 2000, so assume any building constructed or renovated before then may contain it until a survey confirms otherwise. Don't rely on age alone — have a competent person check before disturbing materials.
Identify whether asbestos is present through a survey by a competent person, and don't disturb materials until you know. If asbestos is found, arrange safe management or licensed removal before the work proceeds, and make sure everyone on site is aware.
