Much of the focus around asbestos exposure is on builders and demolition workers. Still, electricians can also be at significant risk if they don’t take all necessary precautions. When the time comes to carry out electrical work on your next pre-2000s house project, make sure you’re as prepared as possible.

Why Should Electricians Be Concerned About Asbestos

Even though some of the most dangerous building materials like Super Six roofing are not positioned where electricians typically carry out their work, that doesn’t mean it’s not hidden in other building materials.

Surprisingly, asbestos is present in a range of building materials electricians do come into contact with, which means there’s a genuine risk of exposure if all necessary precautions aren’t taken.

We’ll get into more detail about where to find asbestos in a New Zealand home below, but let’s first focus on why identifying it is so crucial in the first place.

The tiny asbestos fibres in asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can become lodged in your lungs when you breathe in. Once there, they can start to cause inflammation, leading to illnesses such as lung cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other lung diseases. Symptoms of these conditions can take decades to appear.

How to Identify Asbestos

Natural materials are typically quite easy to identify, but not those that have been manufactured to appear in other materials. And that’s what makes asbestos such a tricky beast to manage.  

Even though it’s easy to identify in its natural form, it’s much harder to spot when it has been turned into other products. Typically, the only way to confirm the presence of asbestos is with asbestos testing.

However, if you’re working in a home built before the year 2000, some building materials and products relating to electrical work may be more likely to contain asbestos than others.

Boilers, some wall materials, fuse boxes, gussets in ducted air conditioning systems, hot water pipe lagging, wall caulking, and tiles can all pose exposure risks.

How to Protect Yourself From Asbestos Exposure As An Electrician

It can be so easy to get caught up in the job at hand that you forget about all the risks around you. After all, electrical work can be high risk, which means you aren’t always focused on those dangers outside of ensuring all your wiring goes in the right places.

However, given the genuine risk of asbestos exposure, there are some critical protection measures you should take to reduce or prevent the risk of exposure.

WorkSafe recommends asking the homeowner of a property you’re working at whether they are aware of the presence of asbestos. If no one knows for sure, control measures should be put in place before work begins.

For electricians working at commercial premises, request an Asbestos Management Plan from the building’s owner or manager. This plan can tell you if asbestos is present, where it’s present, and how it can be managed on-site while you carry out your job.

However, you can also go one step further by undertaking asbestos awareness training courses for your industry. Typically, such courses are available throughout New Zealand and can help with:

• Relevant asbestos risk information for the electrical industry

• Identifying asbestos-related hazards

• Safe handling and control measures

• Information on asbestos forms and types

• Earning CPD points

Managing the Exposure Risk On-Site

WorkSafe outlines a variety of helpful steps you can take to keep yourself safe, including appropriate use of PPE, worksite management, and responsible disposal. However, we’ve covered some basic information below. 

PPE Use

If you’ve seen asbestos removal experts hard at work in New Zealand, you may have a fair idea of how much PPE is required to limit the risk of asbestos exposure. One of the most important pieces of PPE is a mask, but not just any mask will do.

A single-use P2 mask with a valve is the minimum requirement, with a tight seal around your face being necessary. This means that electricians working around asbestos with facial hair will need to shave it off to keep themselves safe.

It’s also important to wear disposable coveralls, which can stop asbestos from getting onto your clothing. Size up to provide a looser fit and reduce the risk of any rips or tears. Gloves and boot coverings can also offer an excellent level of protection.

Worksite Management

Even though you may not be creating a lot of dust with your electrical work, it still pays to be aware of how to navigate a workspace where asbestos may be present. Potential ACM should be kept damp to reduce dust, then removed with special class H vacuum cleaners that won’t be used for general use.

Remember, any removal of friable asbestos or non-friable above 10m2 requires a Class A asbestos removal licence.

Asbestos Waste Disposal

After carrying out electrical work at a property containing asbestos, you may have some asbestos-contaminated waste to get rid of. You must dispose of this responsibly rather than popping it into your wheelie bin.

Asbestos must be double-bagged in heavy-duty plastic with asbestos warning labels. It should also be tied and sealed with tape to ensure the contents are fully enclosed. Contact your local council to learn about your closest approved disposal site.

Be Informed and Stay Safe

We’re often told that knowledge is power. In this case, it is. The more you learn about the dangers of asbestos in your line of work, the more steps you can take to remain safe. If you require a helping hand with asbestos removal or general industry advice, contact the experts to find out more.