Asbestos regulations now in full effect

Asbestos continues to be the biggest cause of workplace fatalities in New Zealand. Almost 50 years after New Zealand businesses working in and around construction were first made aware of the risks of asbestos, the cancer causing material is still not being managed effectively.

As of 4 April this year, businesses must take greater responsibility for managing asbestos in their place of work.

What’s changed?

• Businesses where asbestos has been identified, or is likely to be, or where the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) ought to know that it is present, are now required to develop an asbestos management plan.
• Workers and supervisors must be trained with either the relevant unit standards or their equivalent CPCC course (Australian courses which are recognised under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act).
• Businesses seeking a class A removal licence must have a certified safety management system in place.
• Air monitoring and clearance of class A removal sites must be undertaken by an independent licensed assessor. Clearance of class B sites and air monitoring, where required, can be done by a licensed assessor or a competent person. Check out the key duties for surveyors and assessors.

Remember to check out the new WorkSafe asbestos quick guides for tradespeople.