Worksafe urges employers and tradespeople to take greater care around asbestos

Worksafe recently released a report urging employers and tradespeople to be much more careful when working with asbestos-containing materials.

The workplace health and safety regulator highlighted the sombre fact that there are more than 200 deaths attributed to asbestos in New Zealand every year. This makes it the number one most deadly workplace risk, and the saddest part is that all of these deaths could have been avoided.

The dangers of asbestos

Asbestos can cause a variety of deadly diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

Those who have spent a lot of time around asbestos-containing materials may be at risk. That’s why asbestos-related illnesses are often found in workers who have spent many years in the trades industry.

One part of the problem is the high number of buildings in New Zealand that still contain asbestos.

“The proliferation of asbestos-containing materials in houses, buildings and machinery until the 1990s, combined with the fact these are progressively deteriorating and are approaching or have exceeded their design life, means there remains the potential for accidental exposure by workers, DIYers and others,” explained NZDAA President Helina Stil.

However, another major issue is that not all workers and employers are adequately adhering to the worksafe Code of Practice for managing and removing asbestos.

“Unsafe levels of asbestos exposure are happening every day because of poor work practices, insufficient identification of hazards prior to works, and a blatant disrespect for health and safety,” says FAMANZ Director Bridgette Jennings.

Together, these two factors are putting some workers in New Zealand at risk.

Working with an experienced, safe asbestos removalist

PRO Environmental Services is an asbestos removal specialist, and we know exactly how dangerous this substance can be. That’s why we will always take every precaution when working with asbestos-containing materials, or even when there is just the possibility of asbestos being on site.

We are also a Class A asbestos removalist, which means we are qualified to remove both friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos.

There is nothing more important than safety, which includes the health and wellbeing of our own team, the residents or workers on the properties we work with, and of passersby at any of our worksites.

Once we have safely removed all asbestos from a site, we will provide you with an ‘all clear’ air test and certificate for reoccupation so you have peace of mind as you continue to use and enjoy your property.

Contact us about safe asbestos removal today

Whether it’s a last-minute emergency call out or part of a planned rebuild, PRO Environmental Services is available across the lower North Island and upper South Island for safe asbestos removal.

Get in touch with our team to learn more about our practices, or to request a free quote.