The incidents of asbestos complaints have risen to a record high of 350% in the Canterbury region following the Christchurch earthquake.
The main reason for the complaints is due to the rise in buildings being demolished with asbestos still within them. This is due in part to a lack of education and awareness of asbestos products within the industry, and health and safety notification laws.
Complaints to Worksafe of asbestos exposure jumped from 16 in 2010 to more than 70 last year, a 350 per cent increase. With the exposure to asbestos system, National Asbestos Register tripling.
Many companies at the early stages of the ‘Rebuild’ were not sampling or testing for asbestos prior to demolition. There has been some change within the industry with training and awareness, however there needs to be more uptake.
University of Canterbury Toxicology Professor Ian Shaw said health effects from asbestos would only emerge years after exposure.
Original article by: Tess McClure, The Press
