How to Become Qualified in Asbestos Removal

 
 

Many people realise how important it is to be qualified in asbestos removal when they are a PCBU or sole trader undertaking renovations, demolitions, and building work on structures built before 2000.

Knowing these structures often contain asbestos, the Asbestos Regulations 2016 mean they can’t always legally remove asbestos-containing materials without being qualified. That can be frustrating when you just want to get on with the job! Fortunately, obtaining your asbestos removal qualifications means you can get on with the job.

But knowing you need to be qualified and becoming qualified are two different things. If you’re eager to enter the asbestos removal industry to help building owners enjoy asbestos-free homes and businesses, read on. You can learn all about becoming qualified in asbestos removal below.

Contact a Training Provider

With so many courses available for people to learn about asbestos removal, your first (and only!) step can be contacting a training provider. With their help, you can determine the most appropriate course for your unique needs. There are many different courses to choose from, such as those below:

Friable Asbestos Removal (Class A)

A Friable Asbestos Removal (Class A) course is necessary for workers who need to be able to remove Class A or friable asbestos. It’s a WorkSafe New Zealand-recognised course that teaches people about:

  • Preparing to remove friable asbestos

  • Preparing the asbestos removal area and site

  • Isolating the removal site

  • Removing friable asbestos

  • Carrying out the decontamination process

  • Cleaning up the work site

  • Contributing to and using documentation that complies with NZ regulatory requirements  

Those wishing to apply for a Class A asbestos removal licence, remove friable asbestos, and apply to become a licensed asbestos supervisor can greatly benefit from this course. In most situations, you must have a healthy and safety induction certification recognised in NZ before applying.

Non-Friable Asbestos Removal (Class B)

A Non-Friable Asbestos Removal (Class B) course is designed for workers who want to remove non-friable or Class B asbestos. This WorkSafe New Zealand-recognised course teaches learners the same tasks as those required to remove Class A asbestos. However, it focuses on asbestos that is in a bonded form, like mixed in with plastic or cement.

With this training, you can apply for a Class B asbestos removal licence to be able to remove Class B asbestos. It can also be a stepping stone to supervising Class B asbestos removal.

Asbestos Supervisor Course

Some people are eager to learn how to safely remove asbestos but also want to be well-positioned to move up the ranks as an asbestos professional. In that case, you might explore an Asbestos Supervisor Course. Such a course can provide you with the right knowledge to be licensed for asbestos removal supervision. You’ll need your Class A and Class B asbestos removal licences for this course.

In the Asbestos Supervisor Course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Plan for asbestos removal

  • Prepare a site for asbestos removal

  • Supervise asbestos testing, compliance, and documentation with asbestos removalists and assessors

  • Oversee asbestos removal and documentation

  • Supervise and support your team members

Asbestos Assessor Course

An Asbestos Assessor Course helps people gain their WorkSafe certification to become licensed asbestos assessors. You would enrol in this course if you want to conduct asbestos assessments and become a WorkSafe licenced asbestos assessor.

In this course, you learn how to:  

  • Plan for asbestos removal

  • Make preparations for site measurements and other data

  • Use measuring devices to collect site data and information

  • Complete the monitoring process

  • Evaluate and document monitoring results to laboratory requirements

 

Asbestos Awareness Course

If you’re a tradie, an emergency worker, or a maintenance worker, you don’t necessarily need to be certified in asbestos removal. However, that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t benefit from asbestos knowledge. You can obtain that knowledge in an Asbestos Awareness Course.

Leading trainers provide such a course to help people identify asbestos and know how to handle it safely. Many people who complete this course go on to enrol in Class A and Class B courses.

After attending the Awareness Course, you can:

  • Identify legislation that applies to asbestos

  • Explain what asbestos is

  • Know where to find asbestos

  • Understand where asbestos was used

  • Identify asbestos-containing materials

  • Understand the possible effects

  • Identify when asbestos licences are required

  • Explain the safety requirements of working with Class A and Class B asbestos 

Asbestos Management and Surveying

The Asbestos Management and Surveying course is a micro-credential to give people advanced knowledge of asbestos management and surveying in construction, building, and similar industries.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

Become Qualified in Asbestos Removal Today

As challenging as you might think it is to become qualified in asbestos removal, it’s more straightforward than you think! All you need to do is contact a training provider. Once you’ve identified your goals and reason for further education, you can enrol in the most fitting asbestos course and improve your asbestos knowledge!

Karan Kikani