These guidelines provide advice for PCBUs on how to manage asbestos material in buildings or workplaces they own or manage.

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Managing asbestos in your building or workplace – for PCBUs (PDF 1.7 MB)

Key points

• Buildings built before 1 January 2000 are likely to contain asbestos material. For buildings built after 1 January 2000, the risk of asbestos material being present is lower.
• Unidentified or damaged asbestos material can create a health risk for workers and other people in the workplace.
• If there is asbestos material in a building or workplace, the risks must be managed.
• Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must identify asbestos material in their building or workplace and develop an asbestos management plan.
• If there is more than one PCBU involved in a workplace, all PCBUs must work together to manage asbestos risks.

Note to readers

Use of ‘must’ and ‘should’

The words ‘must’ and ‘should’ indicate whether:

• an action is required by law, or
• is a recommended practice or approach.

Must: Legal requirement that you must comply with

Should: Recommended practice or approach

Key terms

A list of technical words, terms, and abbreviations used in these guidelines can be found in the glossary at the end of these guidelines. The glossary explains the meaning of each technical word, term, or abbreviation.

Lists

Lists of examples used in these guidelines are not complete lists. They may list some examples, but not all possible examples.

Images

Images used in these guidelines are a guide only. Images are not intended to provide technical specifications.

Example scenarios

Example scenarios used in these guidelines are for illustrative purposes only.

1.0 About these guidelines

1.1 What are these guidelines about?

These guidelines provide advice for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) on dealing with asbestos in the buildings and workplaces they own or manage.

It can help PCBUs meet their duties under:

• the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), and
• the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 (the Asbestos Regulations)
• the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016
• the Health and Safety at Work (Worker Engagement, Participation, and Representation) Regulations 2016.

1.2 Key words used in this document

In these guidelines:

• ‘You’ means the PCBU. A PCBU is an individual or a company, but it can also be other types of organisations. More information about PCBUs is available at Who or what is a PCBU?
• ‘Contractor’ means an individual or business that provides goods or services. This includes any individual or business hired to identify, manage, or work on asbestos material in your building or workplace (for example, asbestos surveyors, asbestos removalists, asbestos assessors, and other tradespeople).

1.3 Who should read these guidelines?

These guidelines are for PCBUs that own or manage a building that has or could have asbestos in it, for example:

• commercial property owners
• property managers and their workers
• commercial tenants
• residential landlords
• project managers and their workers
• bodies corporate and their members.

These guidelines may also be useful for health and safety professionals that provide health and safety advice to PCBUs.

These guidelines have been written to accommodate the wide range of knowledge and experience of PCBUs that may refer to it. In some instances, PCBUs may need to refer to relevant experts for further guidance.

These guidelines are not intended for people that are not a PCBU (for example, homeowner-occupiers and residential tenants).

1.4 What work is covered by these guidelines?

These guidelines cover any work that is carried out in a building that is on or at a workplace.

A workplace is any place where a worker goes or is likely to be while at work, or where work is being carried out (or is typically carried out) for a business or undertaking.

Some examples of buildings that are often owned or managed by PCBUs are shown in Figure 1.

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Text alternative for Figure 1

Image shows a diagram that lists examples of buildings that are often owned or managed by PCBUs:

Communal residential

• Boarding houses
• Hotels
• Halls of residence
• Camping grounds

Communal non-residential

• Schools
• Cinemas
• Colleges
• Kindergartens
• Museums

Commercial

• Service stations
• Restaurants
• Shops
• Offices
• Libraries

Industrial

• Factories
• Warehouses
• Agricultural processing buildings
• Aircraft hangers

Outbuildings

• Garages
• Sheds
• Public toilets

Ancillary

• Tunnels
• Jetties
• Retaining walls
• Fences

Housing

• Multi-unit properties (body corporate)
• Residential rental properties

1.5 PCBU duties

Under HSWA, you have a duty to ensure the health and safety of your workers and other people, as far as is reasonably practicable.

This duty covers:

• any workers that are influenced by your business (for example, your workers, contractors, subcontractors, and apprentices)
• other people that could be put at risk by your work (for example, tenants, visitors, customers, and passers-by).

Under the Asbestos Regulations, you must:

• make sure the risk of people being exposed to airborne asbestos at the workplace is eliminated, so far as is reasonably practicable, or
• if it not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, then minimise the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

You must also make sure that the airborne contamination standard for asbestos is not exceeded at the workplace. The airborne contamination standard for asbestos is 0.1 fibres per millilitre of air over an eight-hour period. This means that for asbestos fibres in the air, the average concentration must not go above 0.1 fibres per millilitre of air.

The airborne contamination standard for asbestos is a control limit for the workplace. It does not set an acceptable limit for personal exposure. If asbestos is detected at a concentration above the airborne contamination standard, you must take steps to eliminate the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, you must take steps to minimise the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.

1.6 Risk management

You must manage risks so that the health and safety of workers and other people is not put at risk by the work you do.

Risk management is about:

• identifying hazards and assessing risks
• applying control measures to eliminate or minimise risks
• regularly reviewing control measures.

You can read more about the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 at General risk and workplace management

You must engage with your workers and their representatives, so far as is reasonably practicable, at all steps of the risk management process.

You can read more about worker engagement, participation, and representation at Good practice for worker engagement, participation and representation

1.7 Overlapping PCBU duties

When more than one PCBU has the same health and safety duty in an asbestos matter, all PCBUs involved must, so far as is reasonably practicable:

• consult each other
• cooperate with each other
• coordinate their activities.

If there is more than one PCBU involved with managing asbestos risks in a building or workplace, all PCBUs should:

• discuss what work activities are being, or going to be, carried out
• agree on the degree of influence and control each PCBU has
• agree on who will manage what and how it will be managed
• agree on the use of shared facilities, if applicable
• monitor and check how things are going on an ongoing basis.

Examples of where PCBU duties are likely to overlap include:

• when a body corporate employs a property manager
• when a residential landlord employs a property manager
• when a commercial business leases a unit from a property owner.

Each business’s responsibility to carry out their duties will most likely be different. This will depend on the ability of the business to influence and control the health and safety matter.

The extent of the duty to manage asbestos risks depends on the influence and control of each PCBU. The more influence and control a PCBU has over a building, workplace, work activities, or workers, the more responsibility it is likely to have.

You must manage any overlaps and risks that are appropriate for you to control. The nature of that control will reflect how much influence and control you have, and what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances. Any arrangements you make with other PCBUs to manage risks (for example, arrangements to monitor control measures) should be sensible and proportionate.

You cannot contract out of your duties, but you can make reasonable agreements with other PCBUs to meet your duties. Each PCBU is responsible for making sure their own duties are met.

You can read more about overlapping PCBU duties at Overlapping duties – quick guide

1.8 Managing asbestos risks across a property portfolio

Managing asbestos risks across a property portfolio can be challenging.

Each property may:

• be in a different condition or state of repair
• have a different budget
• have different occupancy considerations
• be occupied by a different PCBU
• have different access requirements
• be used for different purposes
• be made of different construction materials.

If you own or manage a portfolio of properties, you will need to consider how you manage asbestos risks for each property. You may choose to develop an asbestos policy for your organisation, which sets out your organisational approach to managing asbestos across your portfolio. This is likely to include:

• how you will schedule and manage asbestos surveys for each property
• how you will monitor identified asbestos material for signs of deterioration
• how you will communicate and work with other PCBUs involved with the management of asbestos in your properties (for example, commercial tenants and asbestos contractors)
• how you will keep asbestos records for each property up-to-date
• how you will make sure that your asbestos records are easily accessible when required.

1.9 Asbestos identification and management process

Following an asbestos identification and management process can help you meet your duties under HSWA and the Asbestos Regulations.

An asbestos identification and management process provides a structure to help you to:

• identify asbestos material in your building or workplace
• prioritise and manage the risks of asbestos
• keep up-to-date records of your asbestos management approach.

In this guidance, ‘asbestos identification and management process’ refers to the process in Figure 2. The structure of this guidance follows the order of the asbestos identification and management process.

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2.0 Asbestos in buildings and workplaces

2.1 What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a heat-resistant, fire-resistant, and insulating mineral that was commonly used in building materials.

Asbestos is made up of tiny fibres. When asbestos is disturbed or breaks down, asbestos fibres can be released into the air.

All forms of asbestos are harmful to humans.

2.2 Why is asbestos still a problem in New Zealand?

Even though asbestos has been banned, it still causes problems today. This is because many buildings built before 1 January 2000 still have asbestos material in them.

As these buildings get older, they need to be repaired, renovated, or in some cases, demolished. These activities can disturb asbestos, creating a health risk for workers and other people in the workplace.

For buildings built after 1 January 2000, the risk of asbestos material being present is lower.

2.3 What problems can asbestos cause?

Asbestos is not dangerous if it is in good condition, and is left alone and managed correctly. If asbestos material is damaged or disturbed, it can release fibres into the air.

When asbestos fibres are released into the air, they can be breathed in easily. Breathing in asbestos fibres can cause them to get trapped in the lungs, leading to serious health issues.

Asbestos fibres in the lungs cause several diseases, including:

• cancers (for example, lung cancer and mesothelioma)
• serious long-term lung conditions (for example, asbestosis).

Diseases caused by asbestos often cannot be cured. They can cause severe symptoms and can be life-threatening.

You can read more about the health problems caused by asbestos at Asbestos in Aotearoa New Zealand

2.4 Categories of asbestos

Asbestos can be classified into two categories based on its condition:

• Friable asbestos is flaky or powdery. It can be crumbled or reduced to a powder without much pressure. Friable asbestos can easily release fibres into the air if it is disturbed. Friable asbestos is often called Class A asbestos.
• Non-friable asbestos usually has asbestos fibres bonded into another material such as cement or vinyl. Non-friable asbestos is less likely to release asbestos fibres into the air unless it is disturbed or has started to deteriorate. Non-friable asbestos is often called Class B asbestos.

The risk of harm from asbestos depends on its condition and how easily fibres are released into the air. Asbestos fibres are more likely to be released into the air if asbestos materials are:

• friable (flaky, powdery, or easy to crumble)
• in poor condition (for example, if they are flaking, peeling, or crumbling)
• disturbed in any way (for example, sanded, drilled, cut, or water blasted).

2.5 Where you might find asbestos in your building or workplace

Many buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand have asbestos in them. If your building or workplace was built before 1 January 2000, it probably contains some asbestos materials.

Asbestos can also be found in some products that were manufactured before 2000. It was used to make products like brake linings, filters, and fireproof textiles.

For buildings and products that were built or manufactured after 1 January 2000, the risk of asbestos material being present is lower.

Table 1, Figure 3, and Figure 4 show some of the places where asbestos can be found in commercial and residential buildings.

Textured ceilings	Asbestos was often used in textured ceilings (for example, Glamatex or Whisper) for soundproofing and fire-resistance.
Fire doors	Asbestos was used in the centre of fire doors because it is fire resistant.
Workplace plant	Asbestos was used to make specific parts of workplace plant like gaskets, friction brake products, ducting joints, rope, insulation, packing, and vacuum pumps.
Wall and ceiling panels or sheeting	Asbestos cement (for example, Fibrolite) was commonly used in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, and laundry areas.
Backing for wall tiles and splashbacks	Asbestos can sometimes be found in the backing material of wall tiles, bath panels, and splashbacks in kitchens and bathrooms.
Carpet underlay	Some older carpet underlays may contain asbestos fibres.
Patching compounds and textured paint	Asbestos was sometimes used in patching compounds and textured paints for durability and fire-resistance.
Vinyl floor tiles	Asbestos can sometimes be found in vinyl floor tiles and in the adhesive used under the tiles.
Linoleum and vinyl floor coverings (sheets)	Asbestos paper was used in the backing of vinyl and linoleum floor coverings. It can also be found in the adhesive used under vinyl and linoleum sheets.
Poured flooring	Some types of older poured flooring can contain asbestos.
Insulation	Asbestos was used for insulation in heaters, fireplaces, stoves, roof cavities, and around hot water pipes because of its heat-resistance.
Roof sheeting and ridge capping	Asbestos cement was often used in roof sheeting and ridge capping for its durability and weather-resistance.
Gutters, downpipes, gables, and eaves	Asbestos can sometimes be found in gutters, downpipes, gables, and eaves (including the lining under eaves).
Electrical switchboards	Older electrical switchboards may contain asbestos as an insulating material.
Water pipes and flues	Asbestos was used to make and insulate water pipes. It was also used to insulate flues because it is resistant to heat.
Cladding	Asbestos can be found in some cladding materials for walls, including imitation brick cladding.
Fencing, carports, garages, outhouses, and sheds	Asbestos cement was often used in the construction of fences, carports, garages, outhouses, and sheds because it is durable and weather-resistant.
Soil	Asbestos material may have been crushed with demolition waste and thrown to the ground during construction, so asbestos fibres can sometimes be found in soil.
Asbestos-contaminated dust	Asbestos fibres can be found in dust or debris that has settled within a building or workplace.
Table 1: Some of the areas where asbestos can be found in commercial buildings

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Text alternative for Figure 3

Image shows a cross-section of a commercial building, with arrows pointing to areas where asbestos is commonly found:

• Sheeting or ceiling tiles used in the office area, kitchen, toilet, walls or mezzanine area
• Compressed sheet flooring
• Vinyl floor tiles or sheet vinyl floor coverings
• Compressed wall sheeting used for toilet partitions
• Roof ventilators
• 'Super Six' or 'Super Eight' roof sheeting
• Skylight and manhole frames
• Asbestos cement vent pipe and capping
• Fluted ridge capping used on plain roll, fluted saddle ridge, sawtooth ridge capping and ventilating ridge
• Window moulding and louvre blades
• Barge moulding
• 'Super Six', 'Super Eight' or architecturally designed wall cladding
• Wall sheeting or compressed sheeting
• 'Super Six' awning
• Gully trap surrounds
• Textile in the fuse holders
• Backing to the switchboard and internal lining
• Asbestos cement downpipes
• Side flashing
• Window moulding and louvre blades
• Rainwater heads
• Door mouldings
• Gutters
• Moulded telecommunications pit or electrical pit
• Woven fencing product

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Text alternative for Figure 4

Image shows a cross-section of a two-storey residential property. It shows arrows pointing to different areas of the property, where asbestos is commonly found:

• Toilet seat and cistern
• Bath panel
• Hot water cupboard lining
• Water tank
• Ceiling tiles
• Textured ceiling
• Interior window panel
• Fireplace surrounding
• Partition wall
• Vinyl flooring
• Wet area lining substrate
• Electrical meter board
• Exterior window flashing
• Loose fill insulation
• Gutters and downpipes
• Stormwater trap
• Stormwater and sewage piping
• Cladding, including baseboards
• Compressed sheeting
• Soffits
• Roofing panels (eg 'Super Six')
• Garage cladding
• Fence panels

You can find a list of common products that may contain asbestos in Appendix B

3.0 Asbestos contractors

3.1 Introduction

We recommend that you hire an asbestos contractor to help you carry out your asbestos identification and management process.

Asbestos contractors are trained to identify, handle, and manage asbestos materials safely and effectively. The safest option is almost always to bring in a reputable contractor.

You should only consider completing your asbestos identification and management process without the help of an asbestos contractor if you are certain that you can:

• identify any asbestos material you find
• manage any asbestos material you find
• adhere to all relevant health and safety regulations.

3.2 Asbestos contractors

Asbestos contractors often work in specific areas of asbestos identification and management. Table 2 outlines some of the asbestos contractors you might come across if you need to identify and manage asbestos in your building or workplace.

Asbestos contractor	What they do
Asbestos surveyors	Asbestos surveyors are trained to identify asbestos. You should expect an asbestos surveyor to: gather information about your building or workplace (for example, when it was built) carry out a visual inspection of the building and any areas of suspected asbestos take samples of suspected asbestos materials provide you with a report of their findings.
Asbestos removalists	Asbestos removalists are trained to safely remove and dispose of asbestos. You should expect an asbestos removalist to: assess the work that needs to be done (for example, the type, amount, and location of asbestos materials) using the surveyor report make an asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) that explains the removal process and the safety measures that they will use contact residential and commercial neighbours to let them know that asbestos removal work will be taking place follow strict health and safety procedures and use specialised equipment to remove asbestos without releasing large amounts of harmful fibres into the air correctly dispose of asbestos waste.
Asbestos assessors	Asbestos assessors are trained to make sure that asbestos removal work has been completed to the required standard. You should expect an asbestos assessor to: be from a different business to the asbestos removalist (that is, they should be independent) review the work plan made by the asbestos removalist to make sure it is safe and suitable before work starts inspect the area where asbestos material was removed from collect samples of the air to test for asbestos fibres confirm in writing that the area is safe to re-enter.
Table 2: Asbestos industry contractors that might be involved with managing asbestos in your building or workplace

3.3 Contractor independence

To be independent, an asbestos assessor should have no conflict of interest when they carry out their assessor work.

This means that the assessor should not be from the same business as the removalist for that specific job. Being from the same business could create a conflict of interest, as the assessor could be influenced by their connection to the company doing the asbestos removal work. This could lead to biased reporting or inadequate inspections that put health or safety at risk.

Making sure asbestos contractors work independently helps to make sure that your asbestos identification and management process is carried out to the highest standard. You should encourage open communication between any contractors you hire to help you manage asbestos material to avoid any conflicts of interest.

3.4 Other tradespeople

Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, roofers, flooring installers, and other tradespeople that work on or in older buildings might encounter asbestos material as they work. They may need to work on or near asbestos material to do their work (for example, maintenance work). This type of work is known as asbestos-related work.

If tradespeople will be carrying out asbestos-related work, they must be trained to recognise and manage asbestos appropriately. This does not mean these tradespeople can remove large amounts of asbestos or carry out an asbestos survey, but they should be able to:

• recognise materials that may contain asbestos
• know when and how to stop work safely if they find or suspect asbestos material
• understand the procedures for informing their supervisor if they find or suspect asbestos material
• take precautions to eliminate or minimise the risk of asbestos fibres being released from their work.

In some cases, tradespeople have the necessary training to remove small quantities of certain types of asbestos materials (when there is less than 10m² of non-friable asbestos material). This is known as unlicensed asbestos removal work.

You should expect tradespeople who work with or near asbestos material to:

• request information about the asbestos material in your building or workplace before they start work
• complete a risk assessment before starting work on asbestos material
• follow all required safety procedures
• wear the correct personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment
• only carry out work within their level of training or competency.

Tradespeople should never carry out work that exceeds their level of training or competency.

3.5 Choosing an asbestos contractor

Hiring a reputable asbestos contractor can help to make sure that work on asbestos in your building or workplace is done safely and to a high standard.

A reputable asbestos contractor should act with integrity and do their work in a way that shows professionalism and care to their workers and other people.

When you are choosing a contractor for work on asbestos on your building or workplace, think about the following:

Experience and qualifications

• You must make sure that your contractor is competent to do the work needed. A reputable asbestos contractor will be experienced in carrying out work on asbestos effectively and safely. They should be able to tell you in detail about the experience they have doing similar work.
• A reputable asbestos contractor should also be able to provide you with information about the qualifications of their workers.

Licensing

• You must make sure that your contractor has the appropriate licence to do the work needed. Asbestos assessors must be licensed by WorkSafe. Depending on the type of removal work that needs to be done, contractors that remove asbestos material may also need to be licensed.
• You can search the registers on the WorkSafe website to verify the licensing of assessors and removalists Licence holder register

Insurance

• A reputable asbestos contractor should be able to provide you with details about their public liability and indemnity insurance.

Reviews and references

• A reputable asbestos contractor should be able to provide you with reviews, testimonials, or references from other customers. These should help you to understand the quality of their work and how professional they are.
• You can also search for reviews online to see what other people have experienced when they have hired the contractor.

Cost

• Cost is an important factor, but it should not be the only thing you consider when choosing an asbestos contractor. A contractor that offers the lowest price may not necessarily provide the highest quality service.
• Look for a contractor that offers a good balance of cost and quality. Getting multiple quotes can help you spot rates that are unusually high or low.

3.6 What you should receive from an asbestos contractor

An asbestos contractor should provide you with all the information you need to decide whether to go ahead with work.

The asbestos contractor should give you this information in writing as a formal quote or work plan.

A formal quote or work plan should include details about:

• what work will be done and a description of the methods that will be used
• any tests or inspections that need to be done
• how long the work will take
• how much the work will cost
• any warranties or guarantees that will cover the work and materials
• what health and safety measures will be used to protect any workers in your building or workplace
• evidence of certifications, qualifications, and licences
• confirmation that relevant health monitoring is provided to their workers
• what disruptions there will be to your building or workplace while the work is going on.

4.0 Collect information about your building or workplace

4.1 Introduction

Collecting information about your building or workplace is the first step in the asbestos identification and management process (Figure 5).

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4.2 Where to find information about your building or workplace

You should aim to collect as much information as possible about your building or workplace.

Examples of information sources that you could look for are shown in Table 3 below.

Source of information	What it can tell you
Land information memorandum (LIM) report	A LIM report contains information that a local council holds about a property, including its build, date and any building consents and permits.
Building report	A building report can provide information on areas of a property that could contain asbestos.
Asbestos clearance certificates	Asbestos clearance certificates provide information about asbestos removal work that has previously been done on a property and what asbestos materials that were not able to be removed have been left in situ.
Asbestos survey reports	Asbestos survey reports may provide information about areas of a property where asbestos material has been identified.
Building maintenance records	Records of routine, preventative, or reactive maintenance work may contain information about identified asbestos materials or materials used.
Previous owners and tenants	Previous owners or tenants may be able to give you information about the construction of a property and any refurbishments carried out.
Inventories	Inventory records may provide information about items of plant or other products that may have been manufactured using asbestos.
Manufacturers and designers	The manufacturer or designer of a product or an item of plant should be able to provide information about whether it contains asbestos.
Long-term workers at the building or workplace	Workers that have worked at the building for a long time may be able to provide information about the history of a property, including: the construction of the building, renovations to the building repairs on the building plant that is in the building.
Table 3: Examples of information sources for details about asbestos in a property

You may find that some reports do not contain information about asbestos in your building or workplace, but they can still help with:

• deciding whether to hire a contractor to carry out an asbestos survey
• providing information to contractors about your building or workplace
• recording information during your asbestos identification and management process.

4.3 Useful information about your building or workplace

Examples of information that can be helpful to collect are shown in Table 4 below.

Category	Information
Building	Description of the use of the property (for example, industrial, retail, office). Age and construction details. Number of buildings and rooms. Unusual features, underground areas, ducts, or shafts. Surrounding grounds and associated buildings or structures. Date of any extensions, refurbishments, or demolitions. Legal considerations (for example, if the building is listed or was built in a conservation area).
Site	Specific risks that you know about at the site. Arrangements for access (including any restrictions).
Building contents	Installed plant or equipment. Location of heating and ventilation ducts, riser shafts, and lift shafts. Services that may need to be isolated (for example, power, gas, or chemicals).
Users of the building	Whether the building is vacant or occupied. Areas that are commonly used by workers or other people.
Table 4: Types of information that can be helpful in the asbestos identification and management process

5.0 Identify asbestos material in your building or workplace

5.1 Introduction

Identifying asbestos material in your building or workplace is the second step in the asbestos identification and management process (Figure 6).

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Identifying asbestos material in your building involves:

• inspecting the building using an appropriate asbestos survey
• recording the findings of your inspection
• showing where asbestos material is in your building
• arranging for a sample of the material to be analysed, where necessary.

Identifying asbestos in your building can help your workers and other people avoid areas that contain friable asbestos or asbestos material that is in poor condition. This helps minimise the risk that your workers and other people are exposed to asbestos fibres.

You must take reasonably practicable steps to identify all asbestos material in any building or workplace you own or manage. This includes:

• any asbestos material you already know about
• any asbestos material that you would reasonably be expected to know about as the building owner or manager.

5.2 Inspecting your building or workplace

The purpose of inspecting your building or workplace is to identify areas where there is asbestos or where there could be asbestos.

The person you choose to carry out an inspection of your building should be a competent person. Hiring an asbestos contractor to help you identify asbestos material in your building or workplace is likely to be the safest option.

The person identifying asbestos should conduct a thorough visual inspection of areas of the building or workplace that are readily accessible, including all buildings, ceilings, cellars, and storage areas.

It can be helpful to take photos of any suspected asbestos, but only if this can be done without disturbing it.

5.3 Asbestos surveys

Asbestos surveys can be used to locate and identify asbestos material in your building or workplace. Asbestos surveys are usually carried out by asbestos surveyors.

There are different types of asbestos survey (Table 5). Your building or workplace may require more than one type of asbestos survey. For example, a boiler house due for demolition will require a demolition survey, while offices at the same site may have a management survey.

Type of asbestos survey	Purpose
Asbestos management survey	An asbestos management survey is recommended during normal occupation and use of the building or workplace. Asbestos management surveys may involve minor intrusive work (for example, accessing behind panels and other surfaces). Any areas that are not accessible must be assumed to contain asbestos. An asbestos management survey can help you to: find and record the location, amount, and type of asbestos material in your building or workplace inspect and record information about the condition of any asbestos material in your building or workplace, and how accessible it is confirm whether material suspected to be asbestos is asbestos.
Refurbishment or demolition survey	A refurbishment or demolition survey may be needed when your building or workplace (or part of it) is going to be refurbished or demolished. Refurbishment or demolition surveys are intrusive. This means that parts of the building structure may need to be disturbed (for example, breaking through walls, lifting carpets, or removing tiles). A refurbishment or demolition survey can help you to locate all the asbestos material in your building or workplace before refurbishment or demolition work starts.
Table 5: Types of asbestos surveys

You can use the information in the asbestos survey report to record the location of any asbestos material in an asbestos register. This information will also be helpful when you prepare your asbestos management plan. For more information about asbestos management plans, see Section 6.0: Develop an asbestos management plan

5.4 What is an asbestos register?

The aim of an inspection is to produce an asbestos register. The asbestos register is a document that lists all identified or assumed asbestos in a building or workplace.

An asbestos register should include:

• the date asbestos material was identified or assumed
• the location, type, and condition of the asbestos
• an estimate of the area or quantity of asbestos
• details of inaccessible areas
• any results from sample analysis
• details of any past asbestos removal work.

It can be useful to include photos or drawings in your asbestos register to show the location of any asbestos material.

You can find a template asbestos register in Appendix C of this guidance

5.5 Existing asbestos registers

If you already have an asbestos register for your building or workplace, you should make sure you keep it up-to-date.

For example, if your building or workplace carries out vehicle repairs, you should update your asbestos register if a vehicle with asbestos brakes is brought in for maintenance.

You should also make your asbestos registers available to other PCBUs that are affected by your work.

5.6 If there is no asbestos register

If your building or workplace does not have an asbestos register, but asbestos material is suspected:

• you should create an asbestos register, then
• you must identify the asbestos material.

5.7 Assuming asbestos material is present

Always assume asbestos is present in your building or workplace until you are certain it is not.

If material in your building or workplace could be asbestos but you cannot identify it, you must assume that it is asbestos.

If you have assumed there is asbestos material in your building or workplace, you must:

• follow the requirements for managing asbestos until it is removed, or until testing shows that the material does not contain asbestos, and
• record information about your assumption in your asbestos management plan. For more information about asbestos management plans, see Section 6.0: Develop an asbestos management plan

5.8 Assuming asbestos material is not present

To assume asbestos material is not present in your building or workplace, you must have reasonable grounds to believe this is the case.

Examples of reasonable grounds to assume asbestos is not present might include:

• a previous refurbishment survey confirms there is no asbestos in the area that is being investigated
• a product being very unlikely to contain asbestos (for example, wood or stone)
• a product being very unlikely to have had asbestos added (for example, glass or metal).

5.9 Areas that cannot be accessed

If your building or workplace has areas that cannot be accessed for inspection, you must assume these areas contain asbestos.

Examples of areas that cannot be accessed that might contain asbestos material include:

• enclosed building cavities
• the inner lining of plant (for example, boiler pressure vessels)
• the underside of vinyl tiles, carpet, and other floor coverings
• enclosed riser shafts
• air conditioning ducts
• locked or inaccessible rooms or areas.

5.10 What to do if you find or suspect asbestos material

If you find asbestos material in your building or workplace, or suspect something might be asbestos, follow the steps in Figure 7.

Open larger image

Text alternative for Figure 7

Image shows the stages of what to do if you find or suspect asbestos:

1. Find or suspect asbestos materials
2. Do not disturb
3. Signpost or label the area
4. Arrange sample analysis
5. Plan to manage asbestos materials safely

5.11 Showing where asbestos is in your building or workplace

If you find or assume there is asbestos material in your building or workplace, you must clearly indicate where it can be found. Providing people with information on the location and condition of asbestos material helps to prevent unnecessary exposure to asbestos fibres.

You could indicate the presence and location of asbestos material by using:

• labels (Figure 8) attached directly on or next to identified asbestos if it is safe to do so
• written records, for example site plans or an asbestos register (Figure 9)
• signs at the entrances of the building, workplace, or work area. Signs should be weatherproof and attached securely.

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You can read more about indicating the presence and location of asbestos at Policy clarification: Meeting the duty to indicate the presence and location of asbestos at work

5.12 Sample analysis

It is very difficult to tell the difference between materials that contain asbestos and materials that do not. The only way to confirm that something is asbestos is to test a sample of it.

If the suspected asbestos material is stable, non-friable and will not be disturbed, it may be more practicable to assume it is asbestos, rather than test it.

If arrangements are made for a sample to be analysed, you must make sure that the analysis is done at an accredited laboratory.

You can find more information about accredited laboratories on the International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) website or the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) website:

• Search accredited organisations – IANZ(external link)
• Search accredited organisations – NATA(external link)

6.0 Develop an asbestos management plan

6.1 Introduction

When you have identified the presence, location, type, and condition of any asbestos material in your building or workplace, you can assess the risks.

Assessing the risks of exposure from asbestos material in your building or workplace will help you develop your asbestos management plan to manage these risks.

Developing an asbestos management plan for your building or workplace is the third step in the asbestos identification and management process (Figure 10).

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6.2 Assess the risk of asbestos exposure

When you have identified the asbestos in your building or workplace, you will need to make a plan to assess the risks and manage them.

To assess the risk from asbestos material in your building or workplace, think about:

• who might be exposed to the asbestos material
• how often the asbestos material is likely to cause a risk (for example, whether the asbestos material is in an area that is used often or an area that is sealed off)
• what the possible consequences of asbestos exposure are
• how likely are the consequences of exposure to the asbestos material.

Involve your workers and their representatives in the risk assessment process. They will have operational day-to-day knowledge that will help you make sure that risks are fully assessed.

Keep in mind that it can be easy to underestimate how likely a risk is, or how severe its consequences might be if it happens.

In your assessment, think about:

• the condition of the asbestos material
• whether the asbestos material is likely to be damaged or disturbed
• whether the asbestos material is likely to deteriorate
• the quantity of airborne asbestos fibres that could be released
• whether the asbestos material is in an area where workers or other people could be exposed to it
• potential routes for exposure (for example, through vents or ducts).

6.3 What is an asbestos management plan?

An asbestos management plan is a document that sets out where any identified asbestos material is present and how it will be managed.

You must have an asbestos management plan in place for:

• any structure that has (or is likely to have) asbestos material
• any identified asbestos material in soil at your building or workplace
• any naturally occurring asbestos material at your building or workplace
• any asbestos material that is likely to be at your building or workplace from time to time.

Your asbestos management plan can help you to prioritise and manage asbestos risks if people at your building or workplace could be exposed to asbestos fibres.

6.4 What information is in an asbestos management plan?

Your asbestos management plan must be in writing, but it can be electronic or a paper hardcopy. It must include information about:

• the identification and location of asbestos material (for example, where any signs and labels are located)
• decisions about how asbestos risks are managed and the reasons for these decisions (for example, safe work procedures and control measures)
• procedures for recording incidents or emergencies involving asbestos
• information about the workers who may carry out work on or near asbestos, including information about training, roles and responsibilities, and health monitoring. You can find out more about health monitoring in Section 8.4: Health monitoring

You may also include any other information that describes how you plan to manage asbestos material in your building or workplace. This might include:

• information about the processes and procedures in place to manage asbestos risks (for example, air monitoring procedures)
• information about your asbestos documents (for example, where important documents are kept and who is responsible for updating them)
• key dates (for example, scheduled document reviews, audits, or inspections)
• contact details for people involved with managing asbestos in your building or workplace.

You can find a template asbestos management plan in Appendix D of this guidance

6.5 Who is responsible for preparing the asbestos management plan?

You are responsible for making sure an asbestos management plan is prepared for your workplace.

Sometimes, duties will be shared between multiple PCBUs (for example, when several businesses operate in the same building, or when property ownership is shared).

Each PCBU must, so far as reasonably practicable, consult, cooperate, and coordinate with other PBCUs to determine what each is responsible for. This includes who will prepare the asbestos management plan.

You cannot contract out of your duty to prepare an asbestos management plan.

6.6 Who can help you develop your asbestos management plan?

You may choose to hire a competent person to help you prepare your asbestos management plan. This could include:

• a work health and safety professional
• a qualified occupational hygienist
• an asbestos contractor (for example, an asbestos surveyor).

Even if you choose to hire someone to help you, you are still responsible for preparing your asbestos management plan.

6.7 Who needs access to your asbestos management plan?

You must make sure an up-to-date copy of your asbestos management plan is readily accessible to:

• workers and their representatives (such as Health and Safety Representatives)
• PCBUs working, or requiring work to be carried out, at the building workplace
• any health and safety inspector that asks to see it.

You should also keep a copy of your asbestos management plan at the workplace.

6.8 Recording asbestos material that is in your building or workplace for a short time

You do not need to include asbestos material that is only in your workplace for a short time in your asbestos management plan.

For example, if plant that contains asbestos is in your workplace briefly while it is being repaired, this would not need to be recorded in your asbestos management plan. But if you often repair plant that contains asbestos, this should be recorded in your asbestos management plan.

6.9 Reviewing your asbestos management plan

You must review your asbestos management plan every five years, or when:

• asbestos control measures are reviewed
• asbestos is removed, disturbed, sealed, or enclosed
• the asbestos management plan is no longer suitable to manage the risks (for example, if new asbestos is identified, or if there is a change to the layout of the building or workplace).

If you need to make changes to your control measures to manage risks, you must update your asbestos management plan.

6.10 Who can request a review of your asbestos management plan?

A representative for workers at a workplace can request a review of your asbestos management plan if they reasonably believe that:

• the health or safety of the work group they represent is at risk
• the asbestos management plan has not been reviewed to address the health or safety risk.

You must review the management plan if a representative requests that you do so.

7.0 Manage asbestos material

7.1 Introduction

When you have assessed the risks from the asbestos material you have identified or assumed to be present, you will need to manage them.

Managing the asbestos material in your building or workplace is the fourth step of the asbestos identification and management process (Figure 11).

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7.2 Hierarchy of control measures

The ways of managing risks are ranked from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. This ranking is known as the hierarchy of control measures (Figure 12).

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Text alternative for Figure 12

The image describes control measures starting with the most effective down to the least effective. The first and most effective control measure is elimination. The rest of the control measures are about minimising the risk.

First try elimination

• Eliminate risks

If elimination is not reasonably practicable

• Substitute
• Isolate
• Apply engineering control measures

If there is still risk

• Apply administrative control measures.

If risk still remains – PPE is the last line of defence

• Use personal protective equipment (PPE)

Using the hierarchy of control to manage risks will help you make sure you are using the most effective control measures first. Table 6 below provides examples of control measures that might be used to manage asbestos risks.

Action		What is this?
Elimination		Removing the source of harm, for example arranging for asbestos to be removed from the building or workplace.
Minimisation	Substituting (wholly or partly)	Swapping the hazard with something that has a lower risk.
	Isolating or preventing contact	Separating people from the source of harm, for example enclosing asbestos material to minimise the risk of exposure.
	Using engineering control measures	Using physical control measures to reduce exposure to a hazard, for example using equipment to minimise the release of asbestos fibres.
	Using administrative control measures	Using safe methods of work, procedures, or processes, for example using signs and labels to identify areas where there is asbestos.
	Using personal protective equipment (PPE)	Using or wearing items to minimise risks to personal health and safety, for example providing your workers with respiratory protective equipment.
Table 6: Example control measures for the management of asbestos material

7.3 Managing the risk of asbestos exposure

You must take reasonably practicable steps to eliminate the risk of asbestos exposure.

If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, you must minimise the risk so far as is reasonably practicable. This means using control measures to:

• reduce the chance of people being exposed to asbestos
• reduce how severe the harm is if people are exposed to asbestos.

Control measures to minimise risk should be used in combination to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure.

Ideally, the control measures you use should reduce the severity of it and the chance of it happening.

7.4 Prioritising risks

You will need to decide which asbestos risks to deal with first.

Your asbestos management plan can help you determine which risks could be most likely to result in exposure to asbestos.

Prioritise managing these risks first, then move on to managing risks that are less likely to result in exposure to asbestos.

7.5 Control measures for managing asbestos risks

You will need to weigh up the benefits of using a control measure against any risks that it could create. This is likely to include thinking about:

• whether the asbestos material is friable or non-friable
• the condition of the asbestos material
• the location and accessibility of the asbestos material
• what effect a control measure might have on the occupants of your building or workplace.

Examples of control measures that can be used to manage the risk of asbestos exposure are shown in Table 7.

Type of control measure	Things to consider
Removing Complete removal of asbestos material from the building	Removing asbestos material eliminates the hazard, so that: the asbestos material no longer presents a risk to workers and other people in your building or workplace the asbestos material does not complicate recovery efforts in an emergency (for example, a fire, flood, or earthquake) no ongoing management is required. Removing asbestos material can: increase the immediate risk of asbestos exposure (especially to asbestos removal workers) disrupt building or workplace use be costly and time-consuming.
Enclosing Placing a physical barrier between the asbestos material and the surrounding area	Enclosing asbestos material can minimise the risk without as much disruption to the building or workplace. Enclosing asbestos material: does not eliminate the hazard requires ongoing maintenance means there is an ongoing risk of entry into the enclosure can make rescue and recovery efforts more difficult if there is an emergency.
Encapsulating Coating the asbestos material with a product that penetrates into the material and hardens	Encapsulating asbestos material can be relatively quick and cost-effective (depending on the size of the area). Encapsulating asbestos material: does not eliminate the hazard may make future removal more difficult and costly may disrupt building or workplace use can complicate rescue and recovery efforts in an emergency.
Sealing Applying a protective coating that creates a seal	Sealing asbestos material can be relatively quick and cost effective (depending on the size of the area). Sealing asbestos material: does not eliminate the hazard should only be used as an interim control measure requires ongoing maintenance may make future removal more difficult and costly may disrupt building or workplace use can complicate rescue and recovery efforts in an emergency.
Table 7: Control measures to manage asbestos material

7.6 Removing asbestos material

Removing asbestos is an example of a control measure that can eliminate the risk of asbestos exposure to those at your building or workplace when it is safely removed. Always consider removing asbestos, where it is reasonably practicable.

If you have identified asbestos in your building or workplace and it needs to be removed, you will likely need to hire an asbestos removal contractor.

Depending on the type of asbestos removal that you need, your contractor may need to be licensed (Figure 13).

Licensed asbestos removal work is divided into Class A and Class B work. Licensed asbestos removalists must have an appropriate training certificate for the type of asbestos removal they carry out.

• A Class A licensed removalist can remove any amount of friable and non-friable asbestos
• A Class B licensed removalist can only remove non-friable asbestos.

You must make sure that the asbestos contractor you hire is qualified to carry out the asbestos removal work.

A register of licensed asbestos removalists is available at Licence holder register

Open larger image

Text alternative for Figure 13

Image shows a diagram. It lists asbestos-related work, and then lists the different classes of unlicensed and licensed asbestos removal work.

Asbestos-related work

Examples of asbestos-related work include:

• research and analysis
• sampling and identification
• transport and disposal
• demonstrations, education, or practical training
• response to an emergency
• demolition
• firefighting
• maintenance, rectifying, and servicing
• display of an artefact or thing
• mining
• laundering asbestos-contaminated clothing
• work carried out in accordance with an approved method
• work carried out near naturally occurring asbestos.

Asbestos removal work

Unlicensed asbestos removal

Asbestos removal work can be carried out without a licence if it involves:

• removing 10m² or less of nonfriable asbestos and associated asbestos-contaminated dust, or
• removing asbestos-contaminated dust that is not associated with the removal of asbestos material, but only if the contamination is minor.

Class A licensed asbestos removal

Class A licensed asbestos removal work allows the removal of:

• any amount of friable asbestos material
• any amount of asbestos-contaminated dust
• any amount of non-friable asbestos material.

Class B licensed asbestos removal

Class B licensed asbestos removal work allows the removal of:

• any amount of non-friable asbestos material
• asbestos-contaminated dust that is associated with the removal of non-friable asbestos material.

7.7 When is asbestos removal appropriate?

Asbestos removal may be appropriate when:

• the surface of the asbestos material is friable
• the asbestos material is badly damaged (for example, water damage or lichen growth)
• the asbestos material is in air conditioning ducts
• airborne asbestos levels are above the legal limit
• other control measures are not appropriate.

Asbestos removal may not be appropriate when:

• the asbestos material is located in a complex or dangerous area of the building or workplace
• the asbestos material is in an area that cannot be easily accessed
• removal would be extremely difficult and another control measure would manage the risk.

7.8 What to do when asbestos removal work is being carried out

If the asbestos removal work is licensed, your licensed asbestos removalist will prepare an asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) for you. You should share this plan with anyone that might be affected by the asbestos removal work.

If the asbestos removal work is Class A, you must make sure that air monitoring is carried out by an independent licensed asbestos assessor.

You should follow the directions of your asbestos removal contractor when asbestos removal work is being carried out. You must also make sure no-one has access to the removal area (other than people directly involved in the removal work), so far as is reasonably practicable.

7.9 Telling other people about asbestos removal work

Before asbestos removal work, you must make sure that the following people are told about the intended removal work and when it will start:

• your workers
• any other persons at your building or workplace.

You must also take all reasonable steps to make sure that you tell the following people about the intended removal work and when it will start:

• any PCBU at, or in the immediate vicinity of your building or workplace
• anyone that occupies premises in the immediate vicinity of your building or workplace.

If air monitoring has been done as part of the asbestos removal work, you must share the results with:

• your workers and their representatives
• any other PCBUs involved with your building or workplace
• so far as is reasonably practicable, other people living or working in the area who could be affected by asbestos contamination.

7.10 Enclosing asbestos material

Enclosing involves placing a physical barrier between the asbestos material and the surrounding area to:

• minimise the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres
• minimise the risk of the asbestos material being damaged or disturbed.

Enclosing asbestos material should be considered if removal is not reasonably practicable or cannot be done immediately.

The enclosure needs to be inspected and maintained regularly to make sure it is still providing an effective barrier. If there is any sign of damage or disturbance to the enclosure or to the asbestos material inside, you should arrange for:

• urgent repair
• further enclosure, or
• asbestos removal.

7.11 When is enclosing asbestos material appropriate?

Enclosing asbestos material may be appropriate when:

• removing the asbestos material would be extremely difficult or dangerous
• asbestos fibres can be fully contained within the enclosure
• most of the surface of the asbestos material cannot be accessed
• it is unlikely that the asbestos material and enclosure will be disturbed.

Enclosing asbestos material may not be appropriate if:

• there is a possibility that the enclosure could be damaged (for example, water damage)
• the asbestos material cannot be fully enclosed.

7.12 Encapsulating asbestos material

Encapsulating asbestos material involves using a liquid product (an encapsulant) that penetrates the surface of the asbestos material. When the liquid dries, it binds the asbestos fibres together, minimising the risk of fibres being released into the air.

Encapsulating asbestos material should be considered if removal is not reasonably practicable or cannot be done immediately.

Asbestos material that has been encapsulated needs to be checked regularly for signs of deterioration or damage. If there is any sign of damage or disturbance to the asbestos material, you should arrange for:

• urgent repair (for example, reapplication of the encapsulant), or
• another control measure to be used (for example, asbestos removal).

7.13 When is encapsulating asbestos material appropriate?

Encapsulating asbestos material may be appropriate when:

• removing the asbestos material would be extremely difficult or dangerous
• the asbestos material is unlikely to be damaged
• the asbestos material can be easily inspected.

Encapsulating asbestos material may not be appropriate if:

• the asbestos material is deteriorating
• the asbestos material is water-damaged.

7.14 Sealing asbestos material

Sealing asbestos material involves applying a sealant to the surface of the asbestos material. When the sealant dries, it creates a protective layer that physically traps asbestos fibres. This reduces the risk that the fibres will be released into the air.

Sealing asbestos material should be considered if removal is not reasonably practicable or cannot be done immediately.

Asbestos material that has been sealed needs to be checked regularly for signs of deterioration or damage. If there is any sign of damage or disturbance to the asbestos material, you should arrange for:

• urgent repair (for example, reapplication of the sealant), or
• another control measure to be used (for example, asbestos removal).

7.15 When is sealing asbestos material appropriate?

Sealing asbestos material may be appropriate when:

• removing the asbestos material would be extremely difficult or dangerous
• the asbestos material is unlikely to be damaged
• the asbestos material can be easily inspected.

Sealing asbestos material may not be appropriate if:

• the asbestos material is deteriorating
• the asbestos material is water-damaged
• the area of damaged asbestos material is large.

7.16 When is it appropriate to leave asbestos material alone?

In some cases, leaving asbestos material alone may be the safest reasonably practicable action to take.

It may be appropriate to leave asbestos material alone if:

• the risk of exposure is very low
• the asbestos material is in good condition, unlikely to be damaged, and is fully contained or cannot be accessed.

7.17 Demolition and refurbishment

If your building or workplace contains or might contain asbestos material and you are planning demolition or refurbishment work, before work starts you must engage a competent person to:

• inspect the areas of your building or workplace (including inaccessible areas such as wall cavities)
• identify any asbestos material likely to be disturbed by the planned work.

You must assume that asbestos is present if it is not reasonably practicable to determine if there is asbestos or asbestos material installed in the building, structure, or plant.

Before any demolition or refurbishment work starts, you must make sure that any asbestos material is removed so far as is reasonably practicable (unless the asbestos material can only be accessed by demolition). Minor or routine maintenance work does not trigger this requirement.

7.18 Emergency demolition

You must make sure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that you have a procedure to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure in an emergency. This procedure must be recorded in your asbestos management plan.

Think about the types of emergencies that could happen at your building or workplace, and how the risk of asbestos exposure could be reduced. You may need to record different procedures in your asbestos management plan to account for the different types of emergencies that could happen.

If there is an emergency and a structure or plant that contains asbestos material needs to be demolished, WorkSafe must be notified before the demolition starts.

You can read more about notifying WorkSafe at Notify WorkSafe

8.0 Monitor your control measures

8.1 Introduction

Monitoring your asbestos control measures helps to make sure you can respond to changes in asbestos risks. Your control measures should be reviewed on an ongoing basis to:

• check that they are still managing your asbestos risks and
• to identify any new asbestos risks that need to be managed.

Monitoring your control measures is the last step of the asbestos identification and management process (Figure 14).

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8.2 Maintain effective control measures

If you put a control measure in place to manage the risk of asbestos exposure, you must make sure it is effective and maintained so that it stays effective.

This means that control measures must be regularly monitored and checked to ensure that they are still managing the risk effectively. This should occur on an ongoing basis – not just when the control measure is first put in place.

You should regularly inspect areas of your building or workplace that contain or are assumed to contain asbestos material. Inspections should assess:

• the condition of asbestos material
• any signs of deterioration of asbestos material
• the effectiveness of encapsulation, sealing, or enclosure.

If you discover that a control measure is no longer effective or needs to be changed, you must update your asbestos management plan.

8.3 Review your control measures

Monitoring how well your asbestos control measures are performing can help to show if your control measures are still effective.

You must review and, when needed, revise your control measures to maintain a work environment that is without risks to health and safety, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Control measures must be reviewed and revised as needed to make sure they remain effective. Some examples of situations where you must review your control measure are shown in Table 8.

Review must occur	Details
If the control measure is not controlling the risk it was put in place to control, so far as is reasonably practicable	If an incident occurs or if monitoring shows the control measure is not managing the risk, you must review your asbestos control measures. For example, if: routine air monitoring shows an increased level of asbestos fibres asbestos material that was encapsulated gets damaged a structure enclosing asbestos material has deteriorated.
Before a change at the workplace that is likely to cause a new or different risk to health and safety that the measure may not effectively control	A change at the workplace could include a change to: the workplace or building itself (for example, a refurbishment) any aspect of the work environment (for example, bringing in a permanent item of plant that contains asbestos), or a system of work, a process, or a procedure (for example, changing the route for goods at a warehouse to account for areas where there is asbestos cement).
If a new relevant hazard or risk is identified	Changes in your building or workplace can cause asbestos material that was previously safe to be hazardous again. New asbestos risks can be introduced in many ways, including: changes in building use new construction or renovation work accidental, criminal, or environmental damage second-hand plant aging of the building or workplace.
If the engagement with your workers indicates that a review is necessary	You must have practices in place that give your workers reasonable opportunities to participate effectively in improving health and safety in the business on an ongoing basis (these are known as worker participation practices). This includes processes for workers to report health and safety issues (for example, concerns that asbestos risks are not being adequately managed). You can read more about worker engagement and participation at Worker engagement and participation
If a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) requests a review	A HSR can request a review of a control measure if they reasonably believe that: the health and safety of a member of the work group represented by the HSR may be at risk, and you have not adequately reviewed the control measure in response to the circumstance.
Table 8: Examples of situations that require a review of your control measures

8.4 Health monitoring

Health monitoring means monitoring a person to identify any changes in their health status because of exposure to certain health hazards arising from work carried out by a business or undertaking.

Health monitoring is a way to check if the health of workers is being harmed from exposure to hazards while carrying out work. It aims to detect early signs of ill-health or disease.

HSWA requires that PCBUs monitor the health of their workers to make sure they are not being harmed from the work that they do for the PCBU. The Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations provide more specific requirements for how to do health monitoring. You can read more about these requirements at Exposure monitoring and health monitoring – guidance for businesses

If you have work that involves asbestos taking place at a building or workplace that you own or manage, you must make sure that appropriate health monitoring is in place for the workers carrying out the work.

The duty to provide health monitoring is shared between relevant PCBUs. You may not be providing health monitoring to workers, but you must check that health monitoring is being provided to workers by another PCBU.

Workers may also need other types of health monitoring depending on the type of work they do. You should check that the health monitoring in place is suitable for the work that will be carried out (for example, hearing tests for workers working in noisy environments).

You can find more information about health monitoring at Exposure monitoring and health monitoring – guidance for businesses

8.5 Review your asbestos identification and management process

Reviewing your asbestos identification and management process helps you to find out whether the procedures in place are working as they should. Acting on the lessons learned from your review can help you make sure your process stays fit-for-purpose.

Reviewing your asbestos identification and management process can help you to:

• spot potential issues early
• act before a problem becomes worse.

Your review should consider:

• the individual stages of asbestos management (for example, collecting information, identifying asbestos material, assessing risks, and managing asbestos material)
• how these stages work together as a cohesive process
• what lessons were learned at each stage of the process.

If you make a change to your asbestos identification and management process as a result of your review, you must update your asbestos management plan.

8.6 Involve your workers

You should have a suitable process in place to allow workers to report incidents, near misses, or health and safety concerns.

Involve your workers or their representatives whenever you review or update your asbestos control measures, or review your asbestos identification and management process. You should also consult with other PCBUs that are involved with managing asbestos in your building or workplace.

For more information on worker engagement, participation and representation see Good practice for worker engagement, participation and representation

Appendices

Appendix A: Glossary

Accredited laboratory

A laboratory that is accredited by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) or National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

A laboratory may also be approved by WorkSafe to analyse samples for the presence of asbestos or asbestos-containing material (ACM) for up to 12 months while undergoing accreditation.

Air monitoring

Measuring airborne asbestos fibres by sampling and analysing them.

Airborne contamination standard for asbestos

The average concentration of 0.1 respirable asbestos fibres per millilitre of air over any eight-hour period.

Asbestos

A naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral (rock-forming mineral).

There are two groups of asbestos, and six common types:

• chrysotile asbestos (white)
• crocidolite asbestos (blue)
• grunerite (or amosite) (brown)
• actinolite
• anthophyllite asbestos
• tremolite asbestos.

Asbestos management plan

A document that sets out where any identified asbestos material is present and how it will be managed.

Asbestos identification and management process

A framework that can be followed which sets out how to manage asbestos material in a building or workplace. Its steps include information about how to:

• identify asbestos material in your building or workplace
• prioritise and manage the risks of asbestos
• keep up-to-date records of your asbestos management approach.

Asbestos management survey

An assessment of a building or workplace undertaken by an asbestos surveyor to:

• identify and record the location, amount, and type of asbestos material readily accessible during normal occupancy of the building (including maintenance)
• inspect and record information about the condition of asbestos material present
• confirm whether material suspected to be asbestos material is asbestos material.

Asbestos refurbishment or demolition survey

An assessment of a building undertaken by an asbestos surveyor when a building or workplace (or part of it) is going to be refurbished or demolished.

The purpose of a refurbishment or demolition survey is to locate all the asbestos material in a building or workplace (or part of it) before refurbishment or demolition work starts.

Asbestos register

A document that lists all identified or assumed asbestos in a building or workplace.

Asbestos Regulations

The Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.

Asbestos removal control plan (ARCP)

A document prepared by a licensed asbestos removalist that includes information about:

• how the asbestos removal will be carried out (including the method, tools, equipment, and PPE that will be used)
• the asbestos material that will be removed (including its location, type, and condition)
• the asbestos removal area for the work and any air monitoring points
• how asbestos waste will be transported and disposed of.

Asbestos removal licence

A Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence.

Asbestos removal work

Work involving the removal of asbestos, asbestos-contaminated soil, or asbestos-containing material.

Asbestos removalist

A PCBU that carries out asbestos removal work.

Asbestos surveyor

A PCBU that carries out asbestos survey work.

Asbestos waste

Asbestos material, asbestos-contaminated soil, or asbestos-containing material that has been removed. Asbestos waste also includes items used during work with or on asbestos material (for example, plastic sheeting and disposable PPE) that needs to be disposed of.

Asbestos-containing material (ACM)

Any material or thing that, by its design, contains asbestos.

Asbestos-contaminated dust (ACD)

Dust or debris that has settled within a workplace and is (or is assumed to be) contaminated with asbestos.

Asbestos-contaminated soil

Soil that is contaminated with asbestos material.

Asbestos-related work

Work involving asbestos other than asbestos removal work.

Business or undertaking

The usual meanings are:

• business: an activity usually carried out with the intention of making a profit or gain
• undertaking: an activity that is non-commercial in nature (for example, certain activities of a local authority or a not-for-profit group).

Certified (training)

A certificate obtained from a training provider for undergoing training for either Class A or Class B licensed asbestos removal work.

Class A asbestos removal licence

A licence that authorises the holder to carry out Class A asbestos removal work.

Class A asbestos removal work

Asbestos removal work for which a Class A asbestos removal licence is required.

Class B asbestos removal licence

A licence that authorises the holder to carry out Class B asbestos removal work.

Class B asbestos removal work

Asbestos removal work for which a Class B asbestos removal licence is required.

Clearance inspection

An inspection of an asbestos removal area after asbestos removal work has been completed to verify that the area is safe for normal use.

Competent person

A competent person is someone who has the appropriate skills, training, knowledge, and experience to perform the task or role.

Control measure

A way of eliminating or minimising risks to health and safety.

Demolition

Demolishing or dismantling a structure, or part of a structure that is loadbearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure.

Duty

A legal obligation to act responsibly according to the law.

Duty holder

A person who has a duty under HSWA. There are four types of duty holders – PCBUs, officers, workers and other persons at workplaces.

Eliminate

To remove the sources of harm (for example, equipment, substances, or work processes).

Emergency

An uncontrolled event that has caused, or could cause:

• loss of life
• injury
• serious property damage.

It can include declarations of civil defence emergencies, fires, or other significant incidents. It does not include delays unless these are the result of one of the above situations.

Friable

Flaky or powdery asbestos that can be crumbled or reduced to a powder without much pressure. Friable asbestos can easily release fibres into the air if it is disturbed.

Good Practice Guidelines (GPG)

Describes current ‘good practice’ to help duty holders understand and apply their duties under HSWA.

GRWM Regulations

Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.

Hazard

A potential source of harm. It could include an object, situation, or behaviour.

Health monitoring

Monitoring a person to identify any changes in their health status because of exposure to certain health hazards arising from the conduct of the business or undertaking.

Health monitoring is a way to check if the health of workers is being harmed from exposure to hazards while carrying out work. It aims to detect early signs of ill-health or disease.

HSWA

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

The key work health and safety legislation in New Zealand. HSWA applies to all work and workplaces unless specifically excluded.

You can find the full text of the Act on the New Zealand Legislation website(external link)

IANZ

International Accreditation New Zealand.

Licensed asbestos assessor

A competent person licensed by WorkSafe to carry out clearance inspections for Class A asbestos removal work.

Licensed asbestos removal work

Removal work for which a Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence is required.

Licensed asbestos removalist

A PCBU that holds a Class A or Class B asbestos removal licence.

Minimise

To take steps that protect the health and safety of people by reducing the likelihood of an event occurring, reducing the level of harm to people if it does occur, or both.

NATA

National Association of Testing Authorities.

Non-friable asbestos

Non-friable asbestos usually has asbestos fibres bonded into another material such as cement or vinyl. Non-friable asbestos is less likely to release asbestos fibres into the air unless it is disturbed or has started to deteriorate.

Other persons at the workplace

Includes workplace visitors and casual volunteers (who are not volunteer workers).

These people have their own health and safety duties to take reasonable care to keep themselves safe and to not harm others at a workplace.

Overlapping duties

When a PCBU shares duties with other PCBUs. When two or more PCBUs are working together at the same location or through a contracting chain, they must work together to fulfil their duties of care and manage risks. Where those duties overlap, the PCBUs must consult, cooperate and coordinate with each other to meet their health and safety responsibilities to workers and others.

PCBU

Person conducting a business or undertaking.

In most cases a PCBU will be a business entity, such as a company. However, an individual carrying out business as a sole trader or self-employed person is also a PCBU.

A PCBU does not include workers or officers of a PCBU, volunteer associations with no employees, or home occupiers that employ or engage a tradesperson to carry out residential work.

Plant

Includes:

• any machinery, vehicle, vessel, aircraft, equipment (including personal protective equipment), appliance, container, implement, or tool
• any component of any of those things
• anything fitted or connected to any of those things.

Policy clarification

Aims to ‘clear things up’ – by clarifying WorkSafe’s approach on a specific issue.

Position

Outlines how WorkSafe interprets key concepts in law.

PPE

Personal protective equipment.

Anything used or worn by a person (including clothing) to minimise risks to the person’s health and safety.

This may include – but is not limited to:

• respiratory protective equipment
• protective helmets
• protective eyewear
• protective boots
• protective gloves
• hearing protection
• high-vis clothing
• sunhats
• sunscreen and lip protection
• safety harness systems.

Primary duty of care

A PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers, and that other persons are not put at risk by its work. This is called the ‘primary duty of care’.

Readily accessible

The document can be accessed without difficulty in hard copy, electronic form, or any other form.

Reasonably practicable

What is or was reasonably able to be done to ensure health and safety taking into account and weighing up relevant matters including:

• the likelihood of the risk concerned occurring or workers being exposed to the hazard
• the degree of harm that might result
• what the person concerned knows, or ought reasonably to know, about:
  • the hazard or risk
  • ways of eliminating or minimising the risk
• the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk
• after assessing the extent of the risk and the available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, the cost associated with available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.

Refurbishment

Carrying out work in a building or structure with an emphasis on changing or upgrading it.

Risk

Risks arise from people being exposed to a hazard (a source of harm).

Safe work instrument (SWI)

A type of subordinate instrument (sometimes called tertiary legislation) under HSWA.

SWIs can be used for almost any purpose, however, they only have legal effect where specifically referred to in relevant regulations.

SWIs can be used to:

• prescribe detailed or technical matters or standards that change relatively frequently and will often be industry-specific
• set additional or modified control measures for hazardous substances approved or reassessed by the Environmental Protection Authority
• provide an alternative means of complying with regulations
• support the effective operation of the health and safety regulatory framework, for instance by setting exposure monitoring standards or stipulating requirements for training, competence, or safety management systems.

Safety data sheet (SDS)

Describes the properties and uses of a substance, that is, its identity, chemical and physical properties, health hazard information, precautions for use, and safe handling information.

Sample analysis

Methods used to identify and quantify asbestos in materials or soils.

Shadow vacuuming

Holding a vacuum cleaner nozzle close to the task being performed and sucking the debris away as it is created.

Trace level

An average concentration over any 8-hour period of less than 0.01 respirable asbestos fibres per millilitre of air.

WEPR Regulations

Health and Safety at Work (Worker Engagement, Participation, and Representation) Regulations 2016.

Worker

An individual who carries out work in any capacity for a PCBU. A worker may be:

• an employee
• a contractor or subcontractor
• an employee of a contractor or subcontractor
• an employee of a labour hire company
• an outworker (including a homeworker)
• an apprentice or a trainee, a person gaining work experience or on a work trial
• a volunteer worker.

Workers can be at any level (for example, managers are workers too).

A PCBU is also a worker if the PCBU is an individual who carries out work in that business or undertaking.

Workplace

Any place where a worker goes or is likely to be while at work, or where work is being carried out or is customarily carried out.

Most duties under HSWA relate to the conduct of work. However, some duties are linked to workplaces.

WorkSafe/ WorkSafe New Zealand

The government agency that is the primary work health and safety regulator.

Other government agencies can be designated to carry out certain health and safety functions, for example, Maritime New Zealand and the Civil Aviation Authority.

Previous work health and safety regulators include OSH, Department of Labour, and MBIE.

Appendix B: A-Z of products that may contain asbestos

A

• Air conditioning ducts – exterior or interior acoustic and thermal insulation
• Arc shields in lift motor rooms or large electrical cabinets
• Asbestos-based plastic products – as electrical insulates and acid-resistant compositions or aircraft seats
• Asbestos ceiling tiles
• Asbestos cement conduits
• Asbestos cement electrical fuse boards
• Asbestos cement external roofs and walls
• Asbestos cement in use for form work when pouring concrete
• Asbestos cement internal flues and downpipes
• Asbestos cement moulded products, such as gutters, ridge cappings, gas meter covers, cable troughs and covers
• Asbestos cement pieces for packing spaces between floor joists and piers
• Asbestos cement underground pits, as used for traffic control wiring and telecommunications cabling
• Asbestos cement render, plaster, mortar and coursework
• Asbestos cement sheet
• Asbestos cement sheet behind ceramic tiles
• Asbestos cement sheet internal over exhaust canopies, such as ovens and fume cupboards
• Asbestos cement sheet internal walls and ceilings
• Asbestos cement sheet underlays for vinyl
• Asbestos cement storm drain pipes
• Asbestos cement water pipes (usually underground)
• Asbestos-containing laminates (such as Formica) used where heat resistance is required
• Asbestos-containing pegboard
• Asbestos felts
• Asbestos marine board (marinate)
• Asbestos mattresses used for covering hot equipment in power stations
• Asbestos paper used variously for insulation, filtering and production of fire resistant laminates
• Asbestos roof tiles
• Asbestos textiles
• Asbestos textile gussets in air conditioning ducting systems
• Asbestos yarn
• Autoclave/steriliser insulation

B

• Bitumen-based water proofing such as malthoid (typically on roofs and floors but also in brickwork)
• Bituminous adhesives and sealants
• Boiler gaskets
• Boiler insulation, slabs and wet mix
• Brake disc pads
• Brake linings
• Builders Paper

C

• Cable penetration insulation bags
• Calorifier insulation
• Car body filters (not common)
• Carpet Underlay
• Caulking compounds, sealant and adhesives
• Ceilings – textured (such as whisper/stipple)
• Cement render
• Ceramic fuses in switchboards
• Chrysotile wicks in kerosene heaters
• Clutch faces
• Compressed asbestos cement panels for flooring, verandas, bathrooms and steps for demountable buildings
• Compressed asbestos fibres (CAF) used in brakes and gaskets for plant and vehicles

D

• Door seals on ovens
• Decramastic Roof Tiles

E

• Electric heat banks – block insulation
• Electric hot water services (normally not asbestos but some millboard could be present)
• Electric light fitting, high wattage, insulation around fitting (and bituminised)
• Electrical switchboards (see pitch-based)
• Exhausts on vehicles

F

• Filler in acetylene gas cylinders
• Filters – beverage, wine filtration
• Fire blankets
• Fire curtains
• Fire door insulation
• Fire-rated wall rendering (containing asbestos with mortar)
• Fire-resistant plaster board (typically on ships)
• Fire retardant material on steelwork supporting reactors on columns in refineries (chemical industry)
• Flexible hoses
• Floor vinyl sheets
• Floor vinyl tiles
• Fuse blankets and ceramic fuses in switchboards

G

• Galbestos roofing materials (decorative coating on metal roofs for sound proofing)
• Gaskets – chemicals, refineries
• Gaskets – general
• Gauze mats in laboratories or chemical refineries
• Gib board
• Gloves (for insulation against heat)

H

• Hairdryers (around heating elements)
• Header (manifold) insulation

I

• Insulation blocks
• Insulation in electric reheat units for air-conditioner systems

L

• Laboratory bench tops
• Laboratory fume cupboard panels
• Laboratory ovens (wall insulation)
• Lagged exhaust pipes on emergency power generators
• Lagging in penetrations in fireproof walls
• Lift shafts – asbestos cement panels lining the shaft at the opening of each floor and asbestos packing around penetrations
• Limpet asbestos spray insulation
• Locomotives lagging on boilers, steam lines, steam dome and gaskets

M

• Mastics
• Millboard between heating units and walls
• Millboard lining of switchboxes
• Mortar
• Metal pressed roofing tiles

P

• Packing materials for gauges, valves etc (can be square packing, rope or loose fibre)
• Packing material on window anchorage points in high-rise buildings
• Paint (typically industrial epoxy paints)
• Penetrations through concrete slabs in high-rise buildings
• Pipe insulation including moulded sections, water-mix type, rope braid and sheet
• Pitch-based (Zelemite, ausbestos, lebah) electrical switchboards
• Plaster and plaster cornice adhesives
• Pump insulation

R

• Refractory linings
• Refractory tiles
• Rubber (extent of usage unknown)
• Roofs

S

• Sealant between floor slab and wall, (usually in boiler rooms, risers or lift shafts)
• Sealant or mastik on windows
• Sealants and mastics in air conditioning ducting joints
• Spackle or plasterboard wall-jointing compounds
• Sprayed insulation – acoustic wall and ceiling
• Sprayed insulation – beams and ceiling slabs
• Sprayed insulation – fire retardant sprayed on nut internally for bolts holding external building wall panels
• Stoves (old domestic type) and stove wall insulation
• Swimming pools (if a marblesheen/marblelite finish)
• Spa pools (if a marblesheen/marblelite finish)

T

• Tape and rope – lagging and jointing
• Tapered ends of pipe lagging (where the lagging is not necessarily asbestos)
• Tilux sheeting in place of ceramic tiles in bathrooms
• Trailing cable under lift cabins
• Trains, Guard vans, millboard between heater and wall
• Trains – sprayed asbestos between steel shell and laminex

U

• Underlay of carpet

V

• Valve insulation
• Vinyl flooring (note can be both vinyl and mastic underneath)

W

• Window putty
• Welding rods
• Woven asbestos cable sheath

Appendix C: Asbestos register (example)

Asbestos register example (PDF 92 KB)

Appendix D: Asbestos management plan (template and example)

Asbestos management plan template (DOCX 1.5 MB)

Asbestos management plan example (PDF 191 KB)