This Approved Code of Practice sets out WorkSafe New Zealand’s (WorkSafe) expectations about how to comply with asbestos health and safety law, including the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.
The commencement date for the Approved Code of Practice is 3rd November 2016.
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Latest update – 17 April 2026
Since the 2016 ACOP was published, further guidance has been published that, in some places, provides differing advice or requirements than the 2016 ACOP. This is because accepted best practices have changed or evolved, further clarification was necessary for some definitions, or there were errors or omissions in the 2016 ACOP that have been corrected.
Please check the summary of changes below before referring to the ACOP for guidance.
Industry are encouraged to follow the updated good practices as outlined in the new suite of guidance.
To find out more about our updated suite of asbestos guidance, see We have updated our asbestos guidance
What the 2016 ACOP says
No requirement for air monitoring after surveys.
What the new guidance says
Air monitoring may be required in certain circumstances.
Where to find the new information
Section 10.2 in Conducting asbestos surveys GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Allows swab sampling during surveys to identify asbestos.
What the new guidance says
Prohibits using swab samples for identifying asbestos during surveys.
Where to find the new information
Section 5.5 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 5.11 of Conducting asbestos surveys GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
The supervisor must be present at the asbestos removal area whenever the work is being carried out.
What the new guidance says
The supervisor must be present at all times during removal from set up until completion of the clearance inspection.
Where to find the new information
Section 8.2.3 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 6.2 of Asbestos removal GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
‘In the vicinity’ is not defined.
What the new guidance says
‘In the vicinity’ means in the general area nearby, in person. The exact meaning depends on the situation and must be considered with the definition of ‘readily available’. Examples provided to demonstrate the application of both concepts.
Where to find the new information
Section 8.2.3 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 6.3 of Asbestos removal GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Provides an example-based definition of minor contamination.
What the new guidance says
Provides more detailed definition and examples.
Where to find the new information
Section 4.2 of Asbestos removal GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
For the purposes of the asbestos regulations, ACD is not friable asbestos.
What the new guidance says
Removal of ACD is treated separately under the regulations to friable and non-friable asbestos. Requirements for the removal of ACD depends on how the ACD was created and how much is present. Greater detail is provided about what license is required for removing ACD under different circumstances.
Where to find the new information
Section 4.0 of Asbestos removal GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Exposure monitoring not mentioned.
What the new guidance says
Guidance provided on when exposure monitoring is required (to comply with the 2016 HSWA General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations).
Where to find the new information
Section 8.1.3 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 19.0 of Asbestos removal GPG
Section 10.0 of Asbestos assessments GPG
Section 11.0 of Working with or near asbestos GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Does not provide timeframes on when health monitoring should start.
What the new guidance says
Requires health monitoring to start within 4 weeks of starting licensed removal work (to comply with the 2016 HSWA General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations).
Where to find the new information
Section 8.3.5 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 18.6 of Asbestos removal GPG
Section 9.6 of Asbestos assessments GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
High-level definition provided of what independence means.
What the new guidance says
More detailed definition provided on what independence means. Provides examples of what independence looks like.
Where to find the new information
Section 8.3.3 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 7.3 of Asbestos removal GPG
Section 2.6 Asbestos assessments GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Requires use of swabs for surface testing.
What the new guidance says
Requires surface testing by controlled disturbance – details provided on how to do this.
Where to find the new information
Section 5.5 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 13.4 of Asbestos removal GPG
Sections 6.2 and 6.4 of Asbestos assessments GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Air monitoring is required before/during and adjacent to removal work.
What the new guidance says
Air monitoring is required to continue throughout the duration of the removal work until clearance.
Where to find the new information
Section 8.2.8 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 10.2 of Asbestos removal GPG
Section 4.2 of Asbestos assessments GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Refers to 4-stage clearance as good practice.
What the new guidance says
4-stage clearance is required, and a detailed procedure is provided.
Where to find the new information
Section 8.3.3 of the Interpretive guidelines
Section 6.2 of Asbestos assessments GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Does not specify separate clearance certificates for mobile DCUs.
What the new guidance says
Requires separate clearance certificate for mobile DCUs.
Where to find the new information
Section 6.1 of Asbestos assessments GPG
What the 2016 ACOP says
Provides some information about managing asbestos in soils.
What the new guidance says
Refers to current BRANZ New Zealand guidelines for assessing and managing asbestos in soil(external link) for detailed information on managing asbestos in soils.
Where to find the new information
New Zealand guidelines for assessing and managing asbestos in soil(external link)
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