WorkSafe New Zealand sees asbestos exposure as one of the leading causes of death when it comes to workplace related disease.  Around 170 people die each year. As part of Worksafe’s plan to reduce workplace related health risks, new asbestos regulations were brought into effect on 4 April 2018.

Buildings constructed or altered between 1940 and 2000 can contain asbestos or Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).   Changes to the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 mean that if you are a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and own or occupy a building that contains asbestos you must have a management plan in place from this date.

The new regulations place a duty on PCBUs to ensure working environments and dwellings are free of airborne asbestos fibres.

Management plans should include the identification process, locations and positions of the ACM, actions and decisions to minimise or remove the risk, as well as emergency procedures plans if something goes wrong.

If you have any concerns about the new regulations, talk to a good broker.