What do the new asbestos Regulations mean for PCBU building occupants?

So what do the Regulations and CoP mean for PCBU building occupants?  In a nut shell:

• If you suspect asbestos could be present in your workplace get it tested.  A full building survey by a competent company is the preferable safest option.  You would be surprised how much asbestos is hidden within most buildings out there.

• If you find asbestos or assume that it is present you must have an Asbestos Management Plan in place by 4 April 2018 (a little under 2 years away). This will cover, among other things, staff training, staff health monitoring, contractor awareness protocols, managing the risk, and regular inspections to determine condition and identify any deterioration. There will likely be a rush on competent consultants to help prepare plans in early 2018, so early preparation is recommended.

• If you are arranging for friable (soft) asbestos material to be removed from your building, you will be responsible for contracting both the removalists, and separately, the asbestos assessor who will undertake mandatory surveillance monitoring during the removal, undertake inspections and air monitoring at the completion of the work, and provide you with a clearance certificate to say that as far as can be determined from the clearance inspection, the asbestos removal area does not pose a risk to health or safety from exposure to asbestos.  The assessor will be contracted by you to provide impartial service  independent of the removalist.  For commercial work the removalist will no longer contract their own assessor.

So what do you do? Read the regulations, or you are welcome to call us on 0800 366 370 to discuss anything you are unsure of.  We are happy to help.  There is no charge for a brief chat.