Health and Safety

Asbestos kills. It causes lung cancer and other cancers, and other lung illnesses such as asbestosis. The first symptoms may not appear for 15-20 years after exposure.

Asbestos was used widely from the 1920s to the mid-1980s in roof tiles, wall claddings, vinyl floor coverings, sprayed fire protection, decorative ceilings, roofing membranes, adhesives and even paints and gaskets.

If products containing asbestos are in sound condition and left alone, they don’t pose a big risk. Problems mostly come when materials are cut, sanded, waterblasted or broken up – thus releasing fibres. All three types of asbestos – white, blue and brown – are dangerous.

Confirming the presence of asbestos

If you think something you want to work on may contain asbestos, two labs can test it for you:

• Dowdell and Associates, Auckland (09 526 0246)
• Capital Environmental Services, Wellington (04 566 3311)

For cladding or flooring, they will need a sample as big as a $2 coin. For decorative ceiling finishes, they need at least a teaspoonful, including any sparkly elements. Samples should be obtained in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) guidelines.

Restricted and unrestricted work

The Health and Safety in Employment (Asbestos) Regulations (1998) specify particular tasks as “restricted work” that must be notified to OSH before work begins. These tasks must be carried out by someone holding a certificate of competence for this work, or by a worker under direct supervision of a person holding this certificate. You can’t just say “it’ll be all right, it’s only a small job, I’ll wear a face mask”.

Restricted work includes:

• dry sanding of vinyl asbestos floor coverings
• use of a power tool with any kind of cutting blade or abrasive device, unless used with dust control equipment (dust extraction devices)
• removal of textured ceilings, insulation or lagging material containing asbestos fibres
• encapsulation (coating) of weathered asbestos
• demolition or removal of asbestos materials.

If asbestos materials crumble or break up when handled, then the work must be done by a licensed contractor.

If doing unrestricted work with asbestos, you should:

• minimise exposure to others by sealing off the work area
• wear disposable overalls, disposable cap, and a half-facepiece respirator with a class P1 filter suitable for asbestos dust
• clean up at the completion of each day’s work.

Any residue from the washing or any other work with asbestos must be collected when wet and bagged in plastic. All asbestos waste must be placed in closed containers clearly marked with “Asbestos Hazard – wear respirator and protective clothing while handling the contents”. Waste must be disposed of at a place approved by a territorial local authority and immediately covered by more than 1 m of earth.

When cleaning up, vacuum residues and dust from all surfaces (including unsealed drawers and cupboards) and then wet mop. The vacuum cleaner should be fitted with a HEPA filter.