Asbestos Businesses in Waikato, 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.
Regulators
Legislation & Codes of Practice
Industry Groups
Asbestos disposal: There is 1 licensed waste disposal facility in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which licence class does a Waikato asbestos job need?
Where can asbestos be disposed of in Waikato?
What kind of lab should test asbestos samples in Waikato?
Showing 13–24 of 25 results
Jim's Building Inspections
Morrinsville, Waikato
Jim's Building Inspections is an asbestos consultancy based in Morrinsville, Waikato, providing expert environmental and asbestos assessment services. The company specialises in identifying and evaluating asbestos-related hazards in buildings, helping property owners understand potential risks and compliance requirements. Jim's Building Inspections delivers thorough, professional inspections to support safe building management.
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