Asbestos

Asbestos in Aotearoa New Zealand

This guidance is for anyone interested in the history of asbestos in New Zealand and the diseases it can cause.

Fire safety doors response

On 30 June 2025, WorkSafe was notified of a potential health risk involving imported materials, which may contain asbestos, used in the production of fire safety doors.

Managing asbestos in your building or workplace – for PCBUs

Guidance for businesses, commercial and residential landlords, body corporates, and information on asbestos management plans.

Asbestos in coloured sand

On 6 November 2025, WorkSafe was informed that batches of coloured/kinetic sand used at educational facilities in Australia have been found to contain two types of asbestos – tremolite and chrysotile. This sand product is allegedly imported from China and can be used in classroom activities, as well as other decorative and craft uses at home.

Asbestos in the home

This information provides advice about what homeowners or residential tenants should do if they think there could be asbestos in their home or on their property.

We are updating our asbestos guidance

With input from industry, we are currently working on redeveloping and updating our asbestos-related guidance.

Asbestos licensing

Find out whether you'll need a licence under the asbestos removal licence system and how to go about applying for one.

Management and removal of asbestos

This Approved Code of Practice sets out WorkSafe New Zealand’s (WorkSafe) expectations about how to comply with asbestos health and safety law, including the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.

Where to dispose of asbestos

Find out where and how to safely dispose of asbestos containing material.

Asbestos Licence Holder Register

Find a current licenced asbestos removalist or assessor using the Asbestos Licence Holder Register.

Conducting asbestos surveys: Guidance for asbestos surveyors

Good practice advice for how to plan, carry out, and report the results of an asbestos survey.

Working with asbestos

Access the latest guidance on working with asbestos. You can also find information on duties relating to work involving asbestos – licensed and unlicensed.

Policy clarification: Meeting the duty to indicate the presence and location of asbestos at work

This policy clarification explains our view of the duty to indicate the presence and location of asbestos and asbestos-containing material (ACM) in the workplace. It includes situations in which asbestos and ACM are assumed to be present.

Protective clothing and equipment for working with or near asbestos

This guidance provides information about personal protective equipment (PPE) for working with or near asbestos.

Asbestos

Asbestos

Asbestos in Aotearoa New Zealand

Fire safety doors response

Managing asbestos in your building or workplace – for PCBUs

Asbestos in coloured sand

Asbestos in the home

We are updating our asbestos guidance

Asbestos licensing

Management and removal of asbestos

Where to dispose of asbestos

Asbestos Licence Holder Register

Conducting asbestos surveys: Guidance for asbestos surveyors

Working with asbestos

Policy clarification: Meeting the duty to indicate the presence and location of asbestos at work

Protective clothing and equipment for working with or near asbestos

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