Breathe Easy: Navigating the Asbestos Clearance Process
Asbestos clearances are an essential and legally prescribed part of asbestos removal under the Asbestos Regulations and the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) in New Zealand. A clearance process ensures that areas where asbestos has been removed are safe for reoccupation. This process is particularly crucial due to the health risks posed by asbestos fibres, which can cause serious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
The Importance of Asbestos Clearance Certificates
Once licensed asbestos removal work is completed, the person commissioning the removal must ensure that a clearance inspection is carried out. A clearance certificate must be issued before the area can be reoccupied for normal use, demolition, or other activities. This requirement helps protect workers, building occupants, and the general public from potential asbestos exposure.
WorkSafe New Zealand mandates that only independent WorkSafe Licensed Asbestos Assessors can conduct clearance inspections for Class A asbestos removal work. This requirement ensures objectivity and compliance with safety standards. The responsibility for engaging an independent assessor falls on the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), not the asbestos removal company, reinforcing the need for impartial evaluation.
Class A vs. Class B Asbestos Clearances
Class A Clearance Inspections
Class A asbestos removal involves friable asbestos—materials that can easily crumble and release airborne fibres. This type of asbestos poses a high risk and requires stringent removal and clearance procedures.
Class A clearance inspections includes:
Preliminary checks: Ensuring all removal work is complete, the area is dry, and all required documentation is available.
Visual inspection: Assessing all surfaces and hard-to-reach areas to confirm no asbestos-containing materials or residue remain.
Air monitoring: Conducting airborne asbestos testing to ensure fibre concentrations are below 0.01 fibres/ml.
Final assessment: Reviewing all documentation and test results before issuing a clearance certificate.
Only WorkSafe Licensed Asbestos Assessors can conduct Class A clearances, ensuring high standards of verification and compliance.
Class B Clearance Inspections
Class B asbestos removal involves non-friable asbestos, such as asbestos cement sheets, which do not easily release fibres unless disturbed by cutting, drilling, or breaking. The risk level is lower than Class A, but a thorough clearance process is still required.
Class B clearances involve:
A visual inspection of the removal area to ensure no visible asbestos-containing materials remain.
Unlike Class A, air monitoring is not mandatory unless required by the project’s scope (such as, if near vulnerable populations like children, senior citizens, or those with health issues).
A clearance certificate can be issued by a competent person (someone with adequate training, knowledge, and experience in asbestos management) rather than a WorkSafe Licensed Asbestos Assessor.
Potential Exclusions in an Asbestos Clearance
Understanding the scope of works for asbestos removal is crucial, as some elements may be excluded from clearance certification. Exclusions can occur for several reasons:
Access Restrictions: If certain areas are inaccessible during the inspection, they may be excluded from clearance.
Structural Limitations: If asbestos is embedded within materials that cannot be safely removed without further damage to the structure, those areas may be marked as exclusions.
Residual Contamination Risks: If surfaces require additional cleaning but are outside the agreed scope, they may not be included in the clearance certificate.
It is critical to clarify potential exclusions before asbestos removal begins to prevent misunderstandings during the clearance process. If demolition is occurring after asbestos removal, it is important to understand if there are exclusions in the clearance report as damaging this asbestos can contaminate the site and create a public health risk.
Risks of Improper Asbestos Clearance
Failure to conduct asbestos clearance properly poses significant risks:
Health Hazards: Remaining asbestos fibres can expose workers and occupants to serious health conditions.
Legal and Financial Consequences: Non-compliance with asbestos regulations can lead to legal action, fines, and additional remediation costs.
Project Delays: If a clearance inspection fails, additional removal work and repeated testing may be required, delaying the project's timeline.
Complications in Property Transactions: Inadequate clearance documentation can create issues during property sales or renovations.
How Air Sampling is Conducted
Air monitoring plays a key role in asbestos clearance, especially for Class A removals. This process involves:
Using calibrated pumps to draw air through membrane filters at a controlled rate.
Collecting air samples over a minimum defined period.
Laboratory analysis using phase contrast microscopy (PCM) to detect asbestos fibre concentrations.
Ensuring all samples meet WorkSafe NZ’s clearance standard of below 0.01 fibres/ml.
This scientific approach guarantees that the removal process has successfully mitigated asbestos exposure risks.
Final Words
Asbestos clearances are a critical safety requirement following asbestos removal work in New Zealand. The distinction between Class A and Class B clearances ensures that the appropriate level of inspection is conducted based on the risk level of the materials removed. The four-stage clearance process provides a structured and reliable method to verify that asbestos risks have been eliminated, while strict air monitoring protocols further reinforce safety standards.
Understanding the scope of works and potential exclusions is vital to ensuring a smooth clearance process and preventing disputes. Compliance with WorkSafe NZ regulations not only protects businesses from legal liabilities but, more importantly, safeguards the health and well-being of workers and the community.
By following the correct procedures and engaging independent assessors, companies can ensure that asbestos removal projects are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
