New must-knows for anyone dealing with asbestos in New Zealand.
WorkSafe New Zealand has published an updated suite of guidance for the asbestos industry including asbestos surveyors, removalists, assessors, tradespeople, and general businesses.
The updated suite is easier to follow and is tailored to the needs of each part of the industry, says WorkSafe. It includes interpretive guidelines, good practice guidelines, information sheets, learning modules, and videos.
Changes include updates to surface testing requirements for asbestos clearance inspections, exclusion of swabs during asbestos surveys, exposure monitoring requirements, and clearer definitions around asbestos-containing dust and minor contamination.
It’s anticipated that three of the new good practice guidelines, covering asbestos surveys, asbestos removal, and asbestos assessments, will be developed into updated approved codes of practice (ACOPs) following the progression of the health and safety reforms.
The guidance was developed in three stages. The first stage was published in August 2024, with the second and third stages on 16 April 2026.
The existing 2016 ACOP for the Management and removal of asbestos remains in place alongside the updated suite of guidance. WorkSafe has mapped where content from the existing 2016 ACOP sits within the new resources.
For more information, see:
