Asbestos Businesses in Canterbury, New Zealand
Asbestos in New Zealand is governed by the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. WorkSafe New Zealand enforces the regulations nationally. Since 1 October 2016, importing asbestos-containing products into New Zealand has been illegal. The airborne contamination standard is 0.1 respirable asbestos fibres per millilitre of air averaged over eight hours.
Any Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must identify asbestos at their workplace and eliminate exposure to airborne asbestos so far as is reasonably practicable. Buildings constructed before 1 January 2000 are presumed likely to contain asbestos. Where asbestos is identified or suspected, the PCBU must prepare and maintain a management plan covering the location and condition of all known or assumed asbestos-containing material, how exposure risks are managed, and procedures for incidents or emergencies. Plans must be reviewed at least every five years. Where multiple PCBUs share a workplace, they must consult, cooperate, and coordinate their asbestos management.
Unlike Australia, where each state has its own regulator and there is a push toward national consistency through ASSEA, New Zealand's asbestos regulations are already national. WorkSafe NZ is the single regulator across the whole country.
Licensing
All licensed asbestos removal requires a licence from WorkSafe:
- Class A permits removal of any quantity of friable and non-friable asbestos. Nominated supervisors need at least three years of experience including a minimum of 600 days removing friable asbestos. The PCBU must have a certified safety management system, and an independent assessor must do air monitoring and issue clearance certificates.
- Class B permits removal of more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. Supervisors need at least one year of experience including 200 days of non-friable removal. Removing 10 square metres or less of non-friable asbestos by a competent person does not require a licence, but must still follow the regulations and Code of Practice.
Workers must hold the appropriate NZQA unit standard qualifications. All licensed work requires a removal control plan, decontamination facilities, and proper waste disposal. WorkSafe must be notified before licensed work begins. Samples must be analysed by a lab accredited by IANZ or NATA.
Disposal
Local councils: Ashburton District Council's resource recovery parks do not accept asbestos or products containing asbestos. Timaru District Council has specific requirements for asbestos disposal at Redruth and recommends using an asbestos removal specialist. Check with your district council before transporting asbestos.
Regulators
Legislation & Codes of Practice
Industry Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What asbestos removal licence applies to jobs in Canterbury?
Can I take asbestos to my local transfer station in Canterbury?
Can any lab test asbestos samples from Canterbury?
Showing 13–24 of 27 results
Jim's Building Inspections Linwood
Southbridge, Canterbury
Jim's Building Inspections provides expert building inspection and assessment services in Linwood, Christchurch, including pre-purchase inspections, handover inspections, and asbestos inspections for both residential and commercial properties.
View DetailsARL Solutions
Christchurch, Canterbury
ARL Solutions is a WorkSafe-licensed asbestos removal company based in Christchurch, working across Canterbury and the South Island. It removes asbestos from homes, including roofs, walls and floors before renovation or demolition, and offers commercial asbestos removal and disposal for property owners and businesses. The company also provides industrial cleaning and hazardous waste management. FAMANZ sponsor.
View DetailsMt Somers Excavation
Mount Somers, Canterbury
Mt Somers Excavation is an asbestos removal service based in Mount Somers, Canterbury. The company specialises in safe asbestos identification and removal, providing essential environmental services to protect health and safety in the local community.
View DetailsScaffold Solutions
Southbridge, Canterbury
Scaffold Solutions is an asbestos removal company based in Southbridge, Canterbury, specialising in safe and professional asbestos abatement services. The company handles the identification, containment, and removal of asbestos-containing materials from residential and commercial properties, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and protecting public health.
View DetailsEcoCentral Limited
Southbridge, Canterbury
EcoCentral Limited is an asbestos removal specialist based in Southbridge, Canterbury, providing comprehensive environmental services to residential and commercial clients. The company specialises in safe asbestos identification, containment, and removal operations, ensuring full compliance with health and safety regulations throughout the process.
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