To clear up confusion on what a safety management system is, we’ve created a visual one-page graphic that helps make it easy to see what’s required.

The term safety management system conjures up images of a complex document that is in addition to the work that you already do.

But if you look at the graphic you’ll see that the majority of the system is made up of the plans, procedures and tasks you do already.

The document was produced off the OHSAS 18001 standard but applies just as effectively for the AS/NZS 4801.2001 standard. Obviously, you will still need to discuss your situation with your auditor to understand what else they want to see.

This information is only a guide and is no substitute for professional advice.

In case you have not found an auditor – there is a list on our FAQ page to help you find one. Remember, that this list is provided without any endorsement of any of the companies.

You may have heard rumours that it's cheaper and easier to get certified under a generic scheme.

Regardless of which scheme your safety management system is certified under, the assessment body must take into account the specific requirements of the asbestos regulations. Our scheme makes things easier for the certification body to do this, so we advise you to be sceptical of any assessment body claiming this.

We are working with JAS-ANZ to ensure that assessment bodies carry out their work properly under our scheme. We are unable to provide you with a similar assurance with regard to certifications under the generic scheme.

Many of you know that we worked with JAS-ANZ and industry to produce a new accreditation scheme specifically for Class A removalists, based on OHSAS 18001.

It is more specific to the work of Class A asbestos removalists and provides you with greater assurance that your safety management system is fit-for-purpose.

We recommend that you have a look at the document, even if you are not being audited to this scheme, as it is loaded with links back to the ACOP. It is free for you to read and may be useful even if you are being audited to the generic AS/NZS 4801.2001 or OHSAS 18001 standards.

Note: WorkSafe has not prescribed the use of any scheme. You are free to choose any scheme that is recognised by JAS-ANZ and is audited under the AS/NZS 4801.2001 or OHSAS 18001 standards.

There is still a shortage of New Zealand based accredited training courses available. The Australian based courses are a great way to be ready when the transitional arrangements in the regulations expire on 4 April 2018.

Greencap is presently the only provider who can train to the NZQA standards. We are working with industry to get additional training providers, and we’ll keep you updated on this.

04 January 2018:

All new licence applications should contain the pre-requisites - training records and evidence of a certified safety management system - to be processed. If it is not provided, your application will not be processed until this information is provided. 

We will also cease issuing any licences with the transitional conditions from this date. 

04 February 2018:

Requests for supervisors to be added to existing licences must include proof of training from this date to be processed further.
Any Class A licence holder who wishes to change to Class B must have applied for their Class B licence by 04 February 2018 to ensure it is processed in time for 04 April 2018.

04 March 2018:

All transitional requirements should be provided by this date to ensure that the licence is re-issued by 04 April 2018.

We have had a few companies asking if we will accept the now discontinued ACC WSMP as evidence of a certified safety management system.

We are not able to accept this scheme. The ACC WSMP is not presently recognised by JAS-ANZ.

We will accept any JAS-ANZ accredited scheme that is certified to the AS/NZS 4801:2001 or OHS 18001 standards.

The decision rests with JAS-ANZ on the schemes they deem comparable with the standards.

JAS-ANZ can recognise the accreditations of other signatories of the International Accreditation Forum, such as ISO.

If you provide us with written confirmation from JAS-ANZ that they recognise the certification body who audited your safety management system, we will recognise them too.

You will need to seek this written confirmation from JAS-ANZ, they can be contacted on: contact@jas-anz.org.

If you currently hold a WSMP, then it could be worth exploring the audit costs with a JAS-ANZ accredited auditor to check if there are areas which can be streamlined based on prior work completed as part of the WSMP.