IAONZ Asbestos Factsheet


At all times, IAONZ recommends reviewing the WorkSafe NZ website for up to date information about asbestos. Please use the WorkSafe page as your primary reference.

https://worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/asbestos/


Key questions: Do I need an asbestos management plan? – YES

The Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 place a duty on businesses to have asbestos management plans in place for their buildings and workplaces where asbestos is likely to be found. Every insulation company must have an “Asbestos Management Plan” in place. (link for more information): https://worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/asbestos/working-with-asbestos/handy-hints/do-you-need-an-asbestos-management-plan/

Has the property I am working on had any changes made to the roof over time?  Was the property re-roofed, partially damaged etc? and if so what was the roof product replaced? If a house has been re-roofed at some stage it may have had asbestos on the roof and the ceiling area will most likely be contaminated. Any house that has been re-roofed, renovated or repaired from damage may potentially may have a contaminated ceiling cavity

If you don’t know what the roofing product is – especially if residue has been left on the insulation being replaced - get it tested before starting work.

The two main areas of concern are:

  1. Some blow-in types of insulation used in NZ in the past have contained asbestos.
  2. Asbestos contamination from roofing such as super six and super eight sheeting. 

Any unknown blow-in type of insulation should be tested. If uncertain about the product you should get it tested. IAONZ are aware of a blow-in product imported from Australia containing amosite asbestos and asbestos has been found in old vermiculite blown insulation. Asbestos was contained in a lot of roofing material and some exterior cladding material. Super six and super eight is shaped like corrugated iron but its thicker and made from fibrolite. Installers should never work in a ceiling with this roofing.  


How do we know if there’s asbestos in our workplace?

The first step is identifying any asbestos, and there are a few ways you could choose to do this:

  • you could follow the guidance in the WorkSafe Approved Code of Practice (click to access)
  • you could choose to train your staff to identify asbestos
  • you can employ a surveyor to assess your building and produce your plan
  • you could assume that your building or workplace contains asbestos and write your plan accordingly. Note: If your building was built prior to 1 January 2000 it is more likely to contain asbestos containing material.

Where could asbestos be in a residential house?

Vermiculite Blown Insulation

Vermiculite Blown Insulation - Some Of This Is Contaminated With Asbestos - It Must Be Tested

Blown Brown Asbestos Insulation

Blown Brown Asbestos Insulation

Asbestos-Cement sheet roofing

Asbestos-Cement sheet roofing 

Download full fact sheet here

At all times, IAONZ recommends reviewing the WorkSafe NZ website for up to date information about asbestos. Please use the WorkSafe page as your primary reference. https://worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/asbestos/