Why removal is classified
Not all asbestos removal is the same. Removing a sheet of intact cement cladding from an exterior wall is a different job, with different risks, compared to stripping out old lagging from pipes or boilers. The Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 recognise this by splitting licensed removal work into two classes, each with its own licensing and safety requirements.
What is Class A removal?
Class A removal covers the highest-risk work: the removal of friable asbestos and asbestos-contaminated dust (ACD) associated with friable removal.
Friable asbestos is any asbestos or ACM that can be crumbled, pulverised, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. For a full explanation of this distinction and why it matters, see our guide on friable vs non-friable asbestos. Think of sprayed insulation coatings, pipe lagging, loose-fill insulation, or badly deteriorated asbestos cement. These materials release fibres far more easily than solid sheet products.
A Class A licence holder can remove both friable and non-friable asbestos. The licence requires a certified safety management system, and supervisors on Class A jobs must hold a specific unit standard in supervising asbestos removal. The containment and decontamination requirements are significantly more involved than for Class B work.
What is Class B removal?
Class B removal covers the removal of non-friable (bonded) asbestos or ACM where the total quantity exceeds 10 square metres over the course of the removal project for that site. Common examples include removing asbestos cement roofing, wall cladding, vinyl floor tiles with asbestos backing, or cement downpipes.
Non-friable asbestos is material where the asbestos fibres are bound in a solid matrix (like cement or vinyl). In good condition, it doesn't release fibres as readily as friable material, but it can become friable if it's cut with power tools, broken up, or allowed to deteriorate badly.
A Class B licence holder can only remove non-friable asbestos. If any friable material is encountered during a Class B job, work must stop and a Class A removalist must be brought in. For guidance on handling unexpected discoveries, see what to do when asbestos is found during emergency repairs.
What about small amounts?
Removal of 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos doesn't require a Class A or Class B licence, but it's not unregulated. The work must still be carried out by a competent person using safe work practices, and general duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 still apply. The PCBU commissioning the work remains responsible for ensuring it's done safely.
The 10 square metre threshold is cumulative for the whole removal project at a site, not per room or per day. You can't split a 15 square metre job into smaller stages to avoid licensing requirements.
Licensing requirements at a glance
- Class A licence: required for all friable asbestos removal and associated ACD (regulation 55)
- Class B licence: required for non-friable asbestos removal exceeding 10 m² cumulative for the site (regulation 56)
- No licence required: non-friable removal of 10 m² or less, but safe work practices and general duties still apply
Notification to WorkSafe
Before any licensed removal work begins, the PCBU with management or control of the workplace and the licensed removalist must notify WorkSafe (regulation 34). This notification must include details about the work to be done, the type of asbestos involved, and the expected timeframe. For Class A work, at least five working days' notice is generally required.
Clearance after removal
Once removal work is finished, the site needs a clearance inspection before anyone can reoccupy the area (regulation 41). Who carries out that clearance depends on the class of removal:
- After Class A removal, the clearance inspection must be done by an independent licensed asbestos assessor. "Independent" means the assessor can't be employed by or connected to the removalist. Air monitoring must also be conducted, and the results must show that respirable asbestos fibre levels don't exceed trace level.
- After Class B removal, the clearance can be done by either a licensed asbestos assessor or a competent person.
In both cases, a clearance certificate must be issued before the area is reoccupied (regulation 42). The person issuing the certificate must be satisfied that the removal area and the surrounding area are free from visible asbestos contamination and don't pose a risk to health from asbestos exposure.
Choosing the right removalist
Before engaging a removalist, confirm they hold the correct class of licence for the work you need done. WorkSafe maintains a public register of licensed asbestos removalists that you can search online. Check that the licence is current and covers the right class. If you're unsure whether you're dealing with friable or non-friable material, get advice from an asbestos surveyor or consultant before scoping the removal work. Our guide on what to expect during asbestos removal covers the full process from planning to clearance.
Sources
- Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, reg 3 (Interpretation, definition of "friable")
- Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, reg 34 (Duty to notify WorkSafe of asbestos removal)
- Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, reg 41 (Clearance inspection)
- Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, reg 42 (Clearance certificates)
- Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, reg 55 (Requirement to hold Class A asbestos removal licence)
- Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, reg 56 (Requirement to hold Class B asbestos removal licence)