WorkSafe releases updated asbestos guidelines for New Zealand workplaces

New Zealand’s workplace safety regulator has issued an updated set of recommendations to assist businesses and workers in the safe handling and management of asbestos.

According to WorkSafe, the newly developed guidance has been formulated in close cooperation with the asbestos industry and offers specialised resources designed for specific needs, including those of asbestos surveyors, removal contractors, assessors, tradies, and general businesses.

"Asbestos remains the number one cause of work-related death in New Zealand, with approximately 220 people dying from asbestos-related disease each year. It's critical that everyone working with or around asbestos has access to clear, current guidance on how to do so safely," WorkSafe’s chief executive, Sharon Thompson said.

"We've worked alongside industry experts to create guidance that is easier to follow, more detailed, and tailored to different roles in the sector. This means a surveyor, a removalist, an assessor, or a tradesperson can go straight to the information that matters most to their work."

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