We have launched four new guides designed to help plumbers, builders, electricians and painters quickly understand their responsibilities and manage the risks when working with or near asbestos.

The guides are for tradespeople who work for themselves or have other people (including apprentices) working for them. Each guide is a one-stop information resource that covers:

• the risk of working with or near asbestos
• the difference between friable and non-friable asbestos
• where asbestos is likely to be found in New Zealand homes and other buildings
• the key ways to protect yourself when working with asbestos
• how to dispose of asbestos waste
• workers’ rights and responsibilities.

Every tradesperson is likely to come into contact with asbestos at work sooner or later. This puts you at risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

We encourage you to read the guide to get the basic information you need: 

• to manage the risk from working with or near asbestos, and
• to protect yourself and other people from exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

We also encourage you to look at these pages which have advice about selecting and fitting respirators, as well as information about other PPE to use when working with asbestos:

Respiratory Protective Equipment - advice for businesses

Personal protective equipment to use when working with asbestos

Working with or near asbestos - for builders

This guide is for builders who work for themselves or have other people (including apprentices) working for them.

Working with or near asbestos - for electricians

This guide is for electricians who work for themselves or have other people (including apprentices) working for them.

Working with or near asbestos - for painters

This guide is for painters who work for themselves or have other people (including apprentices) working for them.

Working with or near asbestos – for plumbers

This guide is for plumbers who work for themselves or have other people (including apprentices) working for them.