Following a long history with asbestos, New Zealand finally implemented a set of stringent asbestos regulations back in 2016. These were named the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016. The point of these regulations is to identify any potential asbestos on a property and make an asbestos management plan to either safely isolate it or remove it entirely.

Making a plan like this is vital, especially if you’re a Kiwi property owner with no record of an asbestos inspection having taken place on your property. To help you take the safest next steps as a property owner, we’re exploring the importance of asbestos management plans (AMPs), including how they are informed by comprehensive asbestos management surveys.

Read on for a breakdown of whether an AMP is required for your property, why it’s so important to be diligent here, and what you can expect from the planning process.

What is an asbestos management plan?

Also known as AMPs, asbestos management plans are full reports created by qualified asbestos surveyors that detail where asbestos has been found on your property. Not only that, the reports unpack recommended next steps for managing the asbestos deposits, including everything from control measures to emergency response procedures.

These plans are a vital piece of the asbestos removal process. They essentially lay a blueprint for safely isolating or removing any asbestos without risking dangerous levels of exposure.  But what actually appears in one of these reports?

What appears in asbestos management plans?

Following an asbestos management survey, a tailored AMP will contain the following:

•         A map of your site, with the identification of asbestos materials present.
•         Recommended next steps for the management of said asbestos materials, including safe work procedures and control measures.
•         An induction for incoming asbestos removal specialists and contractors, depending on the next steps you want to take with your property.
•         Work permit systems.
•         Remedial options, including isolation or removal of the asbestos.
•         Training, health monitoring, and emergency response procedures.
•         Recommended roles and responsibilities of workers carrying out asbestos-related activities.

Having this information is vital for two reasons: (a) asbestos management plans are legally required before work can take place on a property with suspected asbestos, and (b) full reports of findings from asbestos management surveys will make it faster, easier, and safer to deal with any asbestos found on the property.

Do you need a plan?

Under the law in New Zealand, any persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) on a property must identify and manage any potential asbestos on their property. If you’re a commercial property owner, a commercial tenant, a landlord, or a project manager with a team, you likely fall under this umbrella.

Because of New Zealand’s history with asbestos, not all buildings require an asbestos management plan. Asbestos bans and regulations came into place sporadically between the mid-1980s and 2016, so the general rule of thumb is that if your building was built or renovated before the 1st of January, 2000, then it is likely to still have asbestos material in it.

These plans must be reviewed every five years to stay on top of the condition of any asbestos present on your property. Asbestos-containing materials like cement, insulation, and ceiling tiles can deteriorate over time, meaning an asbestos deposit that was safe for the previous planning period might not be safe five years on.

So, let’s say that your property was built or renovated prior to 2000, and you haven’t had an AMP produced in the past five years. What can you expect from the process once you get in touch with a team like ours?

How does it work?

Step 1: Asbestos management surveys

It all begins with a qualified surveyor taking a good look at your property. The goal of asbestos management surveys is to identify if there is asbestos on your property, where that asbestos is, and whether that asbestos is friable or non-friable. While non-friable (or Class B) asbestos won’t release fibres unless disturbed, friable asbestos will easily crumble and shed those dangerous fibres. These locations and qualities are carefully noted down by the surveyor.

Step 2: Receive your tailored AMP

Once the management survey is complete, your surveyor will create a tailored asbestos management plan that takes into account the dangers of any asbestos present on your property, the likelihood that it will be disturbed, and any future recommendations for managing said asbestos.

Step 3: Implement recommendations from your AMP

If your surveyor finds asbestos on your property, what happens next will depend on the condition of the material. In some cases, non-friable asbestos can be left alone or isolated if you aren’t planning any renovations or demolitions, as they don’t present immediate harm to anyone in the building.

However, if you have friable asbestos on your property or you’re planning renovations in an area with asbestos, your surveyor will recommend the deposits be removed by qualified removal specialists.

Once you receive your AMP, it’s up to you to implement the recommendations detailed therein to stay compliant with the 2016 regulations. Some surveyors will help you to take those next steps, while others will simply deliver the plan, so it’s important to pick the right surveyors for your needs before diving in.

This can seem like a very demanding process, especially if you’ve just acquired a property or you’re managing a large portfolio. But here’s the good news: with the right team in your corner, identifying and managing asbestos while remaining compliant with the law can be simple.

Remember: this is a hazardous material that requires a great deal of care, so never undertake an asbestos survey or removal on your own. Always rely on qualified professionals to ensure everyone on the property, including you, stays safe.

Stay safe and compliant with help from the experts at Consultex.

At Consultex, we’ve been providing businesses with legally required asbestos management plans and asbestos management surveys for many years. Our expert team is on hand to survey your property and develop a tailored AMP, laying out your next steps with absolute clarity.

Get in touch today to book your AMP renewal.