No — it is not safe, and in New Zealand it is illegal to break up asbestos cement sheets for skip bin disposal. Breaking or cutting asbestos cement (also called fibrous cement or "fibrolite") releases microscopic asbestos fibres into the air. Breathing these fibres can cause serious, life-threatening diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer — often decades after exposure. This article explains the rules, the risks, and the right way to handle asbestos cement waste.
Why Breaking Asbestos Cement Is So Dangerous
Asbestos cement sheets — commonly found in homes built before the mid-1980s as roofing, wall cladding, eaves, and soffit linings — are classed as bonded (non-friable) asbestos when intact. While bonded asbestos is considered lower risk than loose (friable) asbestos, it becomes extremely hazardous the moment it is broken, drilled, sanded, or cut. Mechanical disturbance releases fine respirable fibres that are invisible to the naked eye and can remain airborne for hours.
Skip bin companies in New Zealand are also legally prohibited from accepting loose or broken asbestos waste in general skip bins. Disposing of it this way puts waste workers, neighbours, and landfill staff at serious risk.
What NZ Law Says
Asbestos removal and disposal in New Zealand is tightly regulated under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, administered by WorkSafe NZ. Key rules include:
- Class A licensed removalist required for removal of more than 10 m² of bonded asbestos, or any friable asbestos, regardless of quantity.
- Class B licensed removalist may remove up to 10 m² of bonded asbestos (such as intact cement sheets).
- Homeowner exemption: Owner-occupiers may remove up to 10 m² of bonded asbestos from their own home without a licence — but this does not mean you can break it up. Even under this exemption, strict safe work practices, PPE, and correct disposal methods are legally required.
- Asbestos waste must be double-bagged in heavy-duty polythene bags, clearly labelled, and taken to an approved asbestos disposal facility — not a general skip bin.
Always confirm current rules with WorkSafe NZ and your local council, as requirements can change.
The Right Way to Handle Asbestos Cement Sheets
If you are within the 10 m² owner-occupier exemption and choose to handle removal yourself, follow these steps carefully:
Before You Start
- Identify the material. If you are unsure whether your sheets contain asbestos, have a sample tested by an accredited laboratory before doing anything. Do not break a piece off to test it yourself.
- Check with your local council about approved asbestos disposal sites in your area.
- Notify WorkSafe if required (check current thresholds at WorkSafe NZ).
Safe Removal Practices
- Do not break, snap, drill, or cut the sheets under any circumstances.
- Wet the sheets gently with a fine water mist to suppress any dust before and during removal.
- Wear a properly fitted P2 respirator (not a dust mask), disposable coveralls, gloves, and eye protection.
- Remove sheets whole wherever possible, sliding them out carefully.
- Work on a calm, still day to minimise fibre spread.
Packaging and Disposal
- Wrap intact sheets in 200-micron polythene sheeting or place in heavy-duty asbestos disposal bags.
- Seal with tape and label clearly: "Caution — Asbestos Waste."
- Transport to a council-approved or licensed asbestos landfill — contact your local council or regional council for the nearest facility.
- Never place asbestos waste in a general skip bin, kerbside rubbish, or green waste collection.
Costs and What to Expect
As a rough guide, professional asbestos removal and disposal typically costs more than general demolition work due to licensing, PPE, and specialist disposal fees. Costs vary significantly depending on the quantity, accessibility, and location. Get at least two or three quotes from licensed removalists. While it may feel expensive, the health and legal consequences of doing it incorrectly are far greater.
When to Call a Professional
You should always engage a licensed asbestos removalist if:
- The area involved is more than 10 m² of bonded asbestos.
- Any asbestos is in a friable (crumbly or damaged) condition.
- The sheets are in a hard-to-reach location such as a roof.
- You have any doubt about the material, your ability to work safely, or the correct disposal route.
- You are a landlord — Healthy Homes obligations and tenant safety make professional removal strongly advisable. See Tenancy Services for more on landlord responsibilities.
A qualified asbestos removal specialist will manage identification, safe removal, correct packaging, transport, and disposal — giving you documented evidence that the work was done legally. You can find licensed asbestos removal specialists in your area on tradedirectory.co.nz.
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