A demolition company has been fined $318,750 after it was found to have subjected its workers and members of the public to possible asbestos exposure.
WorkSafe said today in a statement that Crafar Crouch Construction Ltd had failed to manage the risk of asbestos while demolishing two buildings in Blenheim.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen which causes cancer when the fibres are breathed in, but it was previously widely used in the construction industry.
The first was at 101 Budge Street and the second was at 39 Queen Street, with the demolitions taking place between August 2016 and January 2017.
Worksafe was notified and ordered testing of the sites, and found asbestos was present. It also found the company had not adequately checked the buildings for asbestos before beginning demolition, and that it had not taken measures to protect workers.
"We found that workers had not worn appropriate respiratory personal protective equipment, which is an absolute mandatory in asbestos management," WorkSafe Head of Specialist Interventions Simon Humphries said.
"Workers were seen picking through the last of the rubble by hand with only gloves to protect them from the fibres.
"We were also alarmed that the company appeared to show no concern over the possibility that asbestos was present on the jobs – that is startling in a company that regularly undertakes such work.
"Around 170 people die every year from asbestos-related diseases, making it New Zealand’s number one [work-related] killer.
"The utter negligence displayed by Crafar Crouch and their disregard for worker health is appalling."
New requirements for companies removing asbestos were introduced in April of this year, and WorkSafe noted Crafar Crouch do not currently have the relevant license to undertake asbestos removal work.
The company was convicted of three charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act by Blenheim District Court.
Companies Office records show the listed directors of Crafar Crouch Construction as Norman John Crafar, Shona Louise Crafar, Carol Isabel Crouch and John Robert Crouch.
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