WorkSafe calls on businesses to prioritise asbestos safety following recent prosecutions

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WorkSafe calls on businesses to prioritise asbestos safety following recent prosecutions

New Zealand's workplace safety regulator says two recent asbestos prosecutions show much needs to be done to reduce asbestos exposure risk for tradies and businesses nationwide.

Asbestos remains New Zealand's leading cause of workplace deaths, accounting for 220 deaths each year — a toll that highlights ongoing health risk for workers across construction, manufacturing, and related trades.

National Asbestos Awareness Week highlights ongoing risk

National Asbestos Awareness Week (November 20-26) aims to raise awareness among tradies and businesses about asbestos exposure risk, with WorkSafe using recent prosecutions as a case study for what can go wrong when hazard controls fail.

Employers must understand their duty extends beyond compliance paperwork. Genuine commitment to worker asbestos safety documents and processes can prevent exposure incidents before they occur.

Businesses have a legal responsibility to manage asbestos risk

"In New Zealand, businesses have a responsibility to manage the risks to their workers associated with asbestos," says the Head of WorkSafe's General Inspectorate, Tracey Conlon.

New Zealand workplaces are required to have an asbestos management plan in place, according to WorkSafe. Such plans form part of broader occupational health services that protect workers from long-term exposure consequences.

What businesses can do to prioritise asbestos safety

Companies operating in high-risk trades should consider the following steps to reduce exposure risk among staff:

• Maintain an up-to-date asbestos management plan tailored to workplace conditions
• Provide ongoing training so workers recognise potential hazards on site
• Engage qualified asbestos safety services for identification, monitoring, and removal work
• Review safety documentation regularly to reflect current regulatory expectations

Businesses seeking practical guidance can access ready-made safety documents for New Zealand businesses, designed to support compliance across multiple industries.

Why prioritising safety matters beyond compliance

Following recent prosecutions, WorkSafe's message is clear: prioritising asbestos safety protects lives, not just balance sheets. Similar calls for stronger workplace vigilance have been echoed in other campaigns, including SafeWork's push for businesses to prioritise workplace safety this summer and calls for Victorian businesses to prioritise forklift safety.

Robust asbestos safety services, paired with clear management plans, remain among the most effective tools available to employers wanting to reduce risk and safeguard worker health long-term.

Read more here.

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