Stricter laws to protect workers from asbestos took effect in New Zealand this month.

Companies, business owners or any “persons conducting business or undertakings” (PCBUs) that have management or control of a workplace must ensure there is a written asbestos management plan, which must contain information about the identification of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, and decisions on the management of risk.

It must also detail who can carry out work involving the material, including training that has been provided or will be given, roles and responsibilities and health monitoring.

The changes are contained in the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, which took effect on April 4.

Businesses must keep the plans up to date.

The regulations apply if a PCBU knows or ought reasonably to know there is a risk of exposure to respirable asbestos fibres in the workplace.

Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $NZ10,000 ($9445) for an individual and up to $NZ50,000 ($47,227) for an organisation.

Gallagher Bassett-owned workplace health and safety group TriEx says companies must act to identify and manage asbestos risk.

“As the new… regulations begin to be enforced, it’s important to ensure businesses are performing their duties as a PCBU by then,” Asbestos Manager Rob Acutt said.