WorkSafe is consulting on a draft safe work instrument prescribing training requirements for asbestos removal work.
The Asbestos Regulations that came into force on 4 April 2016 created a new licensing system for asbestos removal and new training requirements for those involved in asbestos removal.
Applicants for asbestos removal licences and all workers involved in asbestos removal work must be appropriately trained and hold a certificate for the relevant course.
PCBUs must also ensure that asbestos removal work is carried out by an appropriately licensed removalist, who will carry one of two types of asbestos removal licence:
| Class A asbestos removal licence | Regulations 60(1)(c) and 65(a)(ii)(B) |
| Class B asbestos removal licence | Regulations 61(1)(c) and 66(b)(ii) |
| Supervision of asbestos removal work | Regulations 65(a)(ii)(A), 66(b)(i) and 84(a)(i) |
There is a transitional period between the old and new licensing systems, with certificates of competence for supervisors issued under the previous asbestos regulations valid until they expire or until 4 April 2018, whichever is earlier.
Supervisors will be able to sit interim competency tests at WorkSafe offices in order to supervise asbestos removal before the new training is ready. Workers and supervisors involved in Class A and Class B asbestos removal work must receive relevant training.
Unit standards have been developed under the New Zealand Qualifications Framework and courses that meet these training standards will be offered by industry training providers.
Applicants for class A and class B asbestos removal licences and all workers carrying out licensed asbestos removal work must hold a certificate in relation to a relevant course.
WorkSafe has worked with an industry training organisation, training providers and sector groups to develop unit standards and assessment processes for asbestos removal workers, assessors and other trade workers coming into contact with asbestos.
Training standards have been developed within the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) administered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). The training standards are at NZQF levels four and five.
WorkSafe estimates that 668 people currently in the workforce will enrol in the courses; a conservative figure that does not include any new applicants wishing to enter the asbestos removal industry.
| Class A and B licences issued with the condition that their nominated supervisors | 296 |
| must sit the unit standards training or equivalent by 04 April 2018 | |
| Supervisors who have not had licences issued yet | 270 |
| Holders of current certificates of competence who will require training | 102 |
| Total | 668 |
Once the relevant courses have been prescribed, training providers will be able to offer courses that meet the training standards with course fees estimated in the range of $700 to $1,500. However, the licence fees payable to WorkSafe set in the Asbestos Regulations are independent of course fees paid to training providers.
The deadline for accepting submissions before the draft safe work instrument prescribing training requirements for asbestos removal work is approved by the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety is 24 March 2017.
A licence is not required for removal of up to and including 10m2 of non-friable asbestos or asbestos containing material, cumulatively, over the whole course of the removal project for the site, and asbestos containing dust or debris associated with this removal.
