No — cutting asbestos cement sheets with a jigsaw is not safe and should not be attempted by a homeowner. Power-cutting asbestos-containing materials (ACM) generates a cloud of fine respirable fibres that can cause serious, life-threatening diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. In New Zealand, working with asbestos is tightly regulated under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, and getting it wrong can have permanent consequences for your health and the health of those around you.
Why a Jigsaw Is Particularly Dangerous
A jigsaw uses a fast-moving reciprocating blade that aggressively cuts through material, generating large quantities of fine dust. With asbestos cement (AC) sheet — commonly found in pre-2000 NZ homes as roofing, cladding, eaves linings, and soffit boards — this dust contains chrysotile (white asbestos) fibres that are microscopic, invisible to the naked eye, and can remain airborne for hours.
Even a brief exposure to asbestos dust carries risk. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure, and diseases caused by asbestos fibres can take 20–40 years to develop, meaning you may not know you've been harmed until decades later.
Other high-risk power tools to avoid include angle grinders, circular saws, and rotary cutting tools. These are all prohibited for use on ACM without strict engineering controls that are simply not practical in a domestic DIY setting.
What the NZ Law Says
Under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, asbestos removal work is classified into two categories:
| Class | Type of Work | Who Can Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Friable asbestos or any ACM in a roof, wall, floor, or structure | Licensed Class A removalist only |
| Class B | Non-friable ACM (e.g. intact AC sheet) up to 10 m² | Licensed Class B removalist (or Class A) |
| Unlicensed | Minor disturbance of non-friable ACM under 10 m² in certain circumstances | Competent person with correct controls |
Cutting AC sheet with a power tool like a jigsaw immediately makes the work Class A or Class B because it actively disturbs and fragments the material. This means it must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist. You can check licensing requirements and find guidance through WorkSafe NZ, which is the primary regulator for asbestos work in New Zealand.
How to Identify Asbestos Cement Sheet
Asbestos cement was widely used in NZ homes built or renovated before 2000, particularly before the mid-1980s. Common locations include:
- Roofing (corrugated or flat AC sheet)
- Exterior wall cladding (flat or textured sheets)
- Eaves, soffits, and fascia linings
- Internal wet-area linings (bathrooms, laundries)
- Fencing and outbuildings
If your home was built before 2000 and you're unsure whether a sheet contains asbestos, do not cut, drill, sand, or break it. Treat it as asbestos until proven otherwise. Samples can be sent to an accredited laboratory for testing — a licensed asbestos assessor can arrange this for you.
What a Homeowner Can Safely Do
While power-cutting is off the table, there are limited tasks a careful homeowner may undertake with intact, non-friable AC sheet in good condition:
- Visual inspection — looking at the material without touching or disturbing it
- Careful removal of intact sheets — if the total area is under 10 m², sheets are in good condition, and no cutting or breaking occurs
- Encapsulation — painting over intact AC sheet with a suitable sealant to reduce fibre release (check with a professional first)
Even for these limited tasks, you should wear a P2 respirator (not a dust mask), disposable coveralls, and gloves, and follow WorkSafe's guidance on handling and disposal. Always check with your local council about disposal requirements, as asbestos waste must go to an approved facility — it cannot go in a skip bin or general rubbish.
For guidance on the NZ Building Code and consent requirements when removing or replacing cladding or roofing, visit MBIE Building Performance. Some removal and replacement work may require a building consent — always confirm with your local council before starting.
Safe Alternatives If Cutting Is Unavoidable
If AC sheet genuinely must be cut (for example, to fit around a penetration during removal), a licensed removalist will use wet cutting methods with a hand saw or score-and-snap technique, combined with:
- Wetting the sheet thoroughly to suppress dust
- Full PPE including a P3 respirator or supplied-air respirator
- Containment sheeting and negative-pressure enclosures where required
- Proper bagging and labelling of all waste
This is specialist work. Do not attempt to replicate these controls yourself without proper training and licensing.
When to Call a Professional
You should always call a licensed asbestos removalist if:
- You need to cut, drill, break, or sand any material you suspect contains asbestos
- The area of ACM to be removed exceeds 10 m²
- The material is damaged, crumbling, or friable
- You are doing renovation work that will disturb wall linings, roofing, or cladding in a pre-2000 home
- You are unsure whether a material contains asbestos at all
A licensed asbestos assessor can inspect your home, arrange testing, and provide a clearance certificate once work is complete. You can find qualified local asbestos removal specialists on tradedirectory.co.nz — always ask to see their WorkSafe licence before work begins.
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