Worksafe took a prosecution against a Blenheim construction firm and prior to Christmas the firm was sentenced $318,000 for breaches of the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) rules were in relation to the demolition of two properties.
Most buildings in NZ built prior to 2000 will likely contain asbestos.
The responsibility rests with the contractor to know whether the cladding being removed contains Asbestos. A survey must be taken and samples sent for analysis before work commences.
As a contractor you really want the survey done when you are scoping a project because the presence of Asbestos will influence the solutions you are pricing.
Here’s the link to the Radio NZ article.