Your Living Document: Creating and Maintaining a Compliant Asbestos Management Plan

• An Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) is a legal requirement for any NZ workplace where asbestos is identified or likely to be present.
• The plan must include a detailed asbestos register, clear procedures for managing incidents, and a timetable for managing risks.
• Your AMP is a live document that needs regular review, at least every five years or whenever work on asbestos is planned.
• A PCBU, or Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking, is the entity legally responsible for creating and maintaining the plan.

For many building owners and managers, an asbestos management plan sounds like just another piece of compliance paperwork to be filed away. But what if you viewed it differently? Think of it less as a dusty binder on a shelf and more as a living, breathing roadmap to a safer workplace for everyone. It’s not just about ticking a box; it’s about having a clear, actionable strategy for dealing with asbestos risks head-on.

An asbestos management plan (AMP) is a formal, written document that outlines how identified or assumed asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in a workplace will be managed. It’s a legal requirement under New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016. The core purpose of the plan is to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres, protecting the health of workers, contractors, and anyone else who enters the site. These management plans are essential tools to manage risks and ensure a safe environment.

The duty to manage asbestos falls on the PCBU. A PCBU, or a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking , is the legal entity responsible for the workplace. This could be a company, a sole trader, a landlord of a commercial building, or a property management firm. If you have management or control of a workplace where asbestos is present or likely to be present, you are responsible for preparing an asbestos management plan. This duty ensures that there is a clear line of accountability for managing the asbestos and keeping people safe.

A comprehensive asbestos management plan is more than just a single page. It’s a detailed document designed to be practical and easy to use. While every plan is tailored to a specific site, it must contain key pieces of information to be effective.

1. The Asbestos Register

The foundation of any good AMP is the asbestos register . This is a detailed log of all identified and assumed asbestos in the building. It should include the location, type (e.g., friable or non-friable), and condition of the asbestos-containing material. A site plan showing where the material is present can be incredibly helpful.

2. Decisions and Reasons

The plan must document decisions about how the asbestos will be managed. For example, if it's decided that it's safer to leave sealed asbestos in place and monitor it, the plan must state this and explain the reasoning. It should also detail decisions about removal, including the methods and controls that will be used.

3. Procedures for Incidents

What happens if asbestos is accidentally disturbed? Your plan sets out clear, step-by-step procedures for dealing with unexpected incidents or emergencies. This ensures a swift and safe response to minimise the risk of asbestos exposure.

4. Timetable for Managing Risks

The AMP must include a timetable for action. This could include dates for regular inspections, air monitoring, or planned asbestos removal work. This schedule ensures that the management of asbestos is proactive, not reactive.

5. Monitoring and Review Details

The plan needs to specify how and when the control measures will be monitored and reviewed. This includes details on who is responsible for carrying out work like inspections and who will review the plan itself.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Who is responsible for what? The plan should clearly identify the people responsible for managing asbestos at the workplace and outline their specific duties. This ensures everyone knows their role in keeping the site safe.

7. Information for Workers

The plan must detail how workers and others will be informed about the asbestos, the risks to health and safety, and the control measures in place. This includes providing access to the plan and ensuring proper training on safe work procedures and control measures.

Your asbestos management plan must be kept up to date and reviewed regularly to remain effective. It is a "living document," not a set-and-forget file. According to WorkSafe NZ, a review is required when a health and safety representative requests one, when work involving asbestos is planned, when a control measure is found to be ineffective, or if the plan is no longer adequate for managing the risk. At a minimum, the plan must be reviewed at least every five years. This ensures that the information remains current and the strategies are still the best way to manage the risk.

Developing a robust asbestos management plan involves a few key steps. It all starts with knowing exactly what you're dealing with.

Step 1: The Asbestos Survey

Before you can manage asbestos, you have to find it. An asbestos management survey is the first critical step. A qualified asbestos surveyor will conduct a thorough inspection of your building to identify all asbestos or asbestos-containing material. This information is then used to create the asbestos register, which forms the backbone of your management plan.

Step 2: Developing the Plan

Once the asbestos is identified, the next step is to create the plan itself. This involves assessing the risks posed by each instance of ACM and determining the most appropriate control measures. This can be a complex process, which is why many PCBUs turn to specialists. Our team provides comprehensive asbestos services , from the initial asbestos survey and risk assessment to asbestos removal and the development of clear, practical management plans. We help you create a document that is not only compliant but genuinely useful for day-to-day operations.

Ultimately, an asbestos management plan is your best tool for ensuring health and safety in any workplace with legacy asbestos. It provides a clear framework that protects your workers, reduces your liability, and gives you the peace of mind that comes from having a proactive strategy. By treating it as a vital part of your safety system, you can effectively manage asbestos risks and ensure your workplace is safe for everyone.

_Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. You should seek specific advice from a qualified professional before taking any action. Chemcare assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that may arise from reliance on the information in this article._