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Asbestos clearance inspections

Independent verification for peace of mind

 

After asbestos removal work, an independent clearance inspection is essential to help confirm that the area is safe to re-occupy and return to normal use. This helps protect workers, building occupants and the surrounding community from any remaining asbestos hazards. It also provides formal assurance that the removal has been completed in accordance with New Zealand’s regulatory requirements.

 

ALS provides nationwide coverage through qualified asbestos assessors located in branches across New Zealand. Regardless of where your project is based, ALS is committed to providing you with consistent technical quality, clear reporting and reliable compliance with New Zealand standards. 

 

We recognise that clearance timing can directly affect project scheduling. For this reason, we focus on efficient turnarounds. Laboratory samples are processed promptly following our site visit and clearance certificates are issued without unnecessary delay once all criteria have been satisfied. This approach helps reduce downtime, maintain project continuity and support confident decision making. 


Asbestos inspection

FAQs

The clearance process

New Zealand commonly follows a four-stage clearance process. This approach is recognised as a best practice for independently verifying that an area is safe for re-occupancy after asbestos work has been completed.

The process involves:

1. Preliminary check of the work area and enclosure 

The work area and enclosure are inspected to confirm that removal equipment, waste and tools have been taken out and that the area is ready for detailed assessment.

2. Thorough visual inspection 

A competent person, or a licensed asbestos assessor for friable and Class A work, carries out a detailed visual inspection. The purpose is to confirm that no visible asbestos debris, dust or contamination remains in the work area or enclosure. 

3. Air monitoring 

Air monitoring is performed, often while gently disturbing surfaces, to help ensure airborne fibre levels are below the trace level. This stage is mandatory for Class A friable asbestos removal and offers objective confirmation that airborne risk has been eliminated.

4. Final assessment and clearance certification  

Once the area has passed both the visual inspection and the air monitoring stage, the enclosure is dismantled. A final visual assessment is then completed. If all criteria meet New Zealand requirements, a clearance certificate is issued determining that the area can be re-occupied safely.

FAQs