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"Class B Asbestos Removal Rules in NZ: A Tradie’s No-BS Guide to Doing It Right"

Class B Asbestos Removal in NZ: A No-BS Guide for Kiwi Tradies

Alright, tradies — listen up.
If you’re working on old houses, sheds, garages, or fences in New Zealand, odds are you’ll bump into asbestos cement sooner or later.

That’s Class B asbestos — the bonded, non-friable stuff.
And before you start thinking, “Sweet as, I’ll just rip that out myself”, here’s what you need to know to stay legal, stay safe, and avoid massive fines.

What Is Class B Asbestos?

Let’s keep it simple:

  • Class A asbestos = friable (crumbly, dusty, airborne — needs a Class A licence)

  • Class B asbestos = non-friable (bonded into solid materials like cement sheets, roofing, cladding, fences — needs a Class B licence)

Class B looks solid, but cut, drill, break, or sand it, and those deadly fibres go straight into the air — and straight into your lungs.

What Does the Law Say?

Under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, here’s what you MUST know:

✅ If you’re removing more than 10m² of non-friable (Class B) asbestos, you MUST hold a Class B asbestos removal licence.

✅ If you’re doing ANY friable asbestos work, you MUST hold a Class A licence.

✅ You MUST have an asbestos removal control plan (ARCP) for any licensed asbestos removal job.

✅ You MUST notify WorkSafe NZ at least 5 days before licensed removal work starts.

✅ You MUST properly train your team — all workers need asbestos awareness training, and removalists need full competency under NZ regs.

Step-by-Step: How to Remove Class B Asbestos Safely

🔨 1. Get the Area Tested

If you suspect asbestos, don’t guess.
Send a sample to a certified lab and confirm it.

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📝 2. Create a Removal Control Plan

For licensed jobs, you’re legally required to write up:

  • Job details (location, type of asbestos, amount)

  • How you’ll control dust and fibres

  • What PPE and equipment you’ll use

  • How you’ll dispose of waste safely

This isn’t paperwork you can skip — WorkSafe will expect to see it if they check.

🦺 3. Gear Up

No, your regular dust mask won’t cut it.

Proper PPE for asbestos removal includes:

  • Disposable coveralls (with a hood)

  • P2 or P3 disposable respirators

  • Gloves, boot covers

  • Wet wipes for cleaning tools

💧 4. Wet It Down

Water is your best mate here.
Mist the asbestos with a light spray to stop dust, but don’t soak it so hard that you break the sheets.

📦 5. Remove in Whole Sheets

Never break, smash, or cut asbestos cement.
Lift and lower sheets carefully to avoid releasing fibres.

🗑️ 6. Wrap, Bag, and Label

Double-wrap the asbestos waste in thick plastic (200 microns), label it as asbestos waste, and take it to a licensed disposal facility.

DO NOT chuck it in the skip bin.
DO NOT leave it on site “for later.”

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🧹 7. Final Clean-Up

Vacuum (with a HEPA-rated vac, not your workshop vac!), wet wipe surfaces, and do a thorough site check.
Remove your PPE carefully, bag it, and wash your hands before heading home.

What Happens If You Ignore the Rules?

Here’s the rough part:

  • Fines up to $50,000 for an individual, $250,000+ for a business

  • Stop-work notices and site shutdowns

  • Lawsuits if you expose clients or the public

  • Wrecked reputation (and no one wants that on their name)

Play smart — it’s not worth risking your business or your crew.

Final Word: Be the Tradie Who Does It Right

We all know that cutting corners is tempting when you’re under pressure.
But asbestos is not the place to cut corners.

Know the law, gear up, get trained, and do it properly.
Your lungs, your crew, and your bank balance will thank you.

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