Handling asbestos in modern construction projects

Asbestos remains one of the most tightly controlled risks in New Zealand’s construction sector, and for good reason. Once widely used for its durability and fire resistance, it is now known to cause serious long-term health conditions, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

 

For today’s building professionals, managing asbestos is not just a compliance exercise, it is a core part of delivering safe work sites and protecting public health.

 

The legal foundation for asbestos management sits within the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, enforced by WorkSafe New Zealand. These regulations place clear obligations on Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) to identify asbestos risks and ensure they are effectively controlled.

 

For construction professionals, this means asbestos must be actively managed throughout the lifecycle of a project, particularly during demolition, refurbishment and maintenance of existing buildings.

 

Any building constructed or altered before the early 2000s may contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These can include roofing, cladding, linings, flooring and insulation products.

 

Before work begins, duty holders are required to determine whether asbestos is present. This is typically achieved through a professional asbestos survey, supported by sampling and laboratory testing where necessary. If asbestos is confirmed, or even suspected, it must be recorded and treated as a risk.

 

Early identification is critical. Failing to recognise asbestos before work starts remains one of the most common causes of exposure incidents on site.

 

The role of asbestos management plans

Where asbestos is present, an asbestos management plan (AMP) is required. This document outlines:

 

·         The location and condition of ACMs,

 

·         The risks associated with those materials,

 

·         Control measures to prevent exposure,

 

·         Procedures for monitoring and review.

 

An effective AMP ensures that all workers and contractors understand where asbestos is located and how to avoid disturbing it. It also provides a framework for maintaining control over time, particularly on larger or staged projects.

 

Before any work that could disturb asbestos is undertaken, a task-specific risk assessment must be completed. Controls are then applied using the standard hierarchy:

 

·         Eliminate the hazard where possible,

 

·         Isolate affected areas,

 

·         Use engineering controls such as enclosures or negative pressure systems,

 

·         Implement safe work procedures,

 

·         Provide appropriate personal protective equipment.

 

This structured approach ensures that risk is reduced as far as reasonably practicable.

 

Not all asbestos presents the same level of risk. Non-friable (bonded) asbestos, such as fibre cement products, is generally lower risk when intact, though it can still release fibres if damaged. In limited situations, trained but unlicensed workers may remove small amounts under controlled conditions.

 

Friable asbestos is significantly more hazardous. Because it can easily crumble and become airborne, it must only be handled by licensed Class A removalists. Work involving friable materials requires strict containment, air monitoring and clearance procedures.

 

Best-practice removal methods are designed to minimise fibre release and protect workers and surrounding areas. These typically include:

 

·         Wet methods to suppress dust,

 

·         Sealed enclosures for high-risk work,

 

·         Negative pressure units to prevent fibre escape,

 

·         HEPA-filtered vacuum systems (with no dry sweeping),

 

·         Decontamination facilities for workers.

 

Following removal, independent inspections and air testing may be required to confirm the area is safe for reoccupation.

 

Asbestos waste is classified as hazardous and must be handled accordingly. It must be sealed, clearly labelled and transported by approved carriers to authorised disposal facilities. Strict compliance requirements apply, and improper disposal can result in significant penalties.

 

In many cases, removal work must also be notified in advance to WorkSafe New Zealand, ensuring regulatory oversight of higher-risk activities.

 

Importantly, removal is not always necessary. Where asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed, they can be managed safely in place. This approach relies on:

 

·         Clear identification and labelling,

 

·         Regular condition assessments,

 

·         Up-to-date documentation,

 

·         Effective communication with anyone working on-site.

 

Managing asbestos in situ is often the most practical and least disruptive option, provided controls remain robust.

 

Given the age of New Zealand’s building stock, asbestos remains a routine consideration across renovation, recladding and demolition projects. While the regulatory framework is well established, effective management ultimately depends on consistent application in the field.

 

For construction professionals, the fundamentals are clear: identify asbestos early, plan thoroughly, engage competent specialists and follow approved processes at every stage.

 

Done well, asbestos management protects not only workers but also occupants and the wider community, ensuring that legacy materials are handled safely and responsibly.