6 Things to Do in an Asbestos Emergency

 
 

The asbestos situation here in New Zealand is pretty bleak. Even though we no longer import or use asbestos-containing materials (ACM), that doesn’t mean we’re not still dealing with the impact of this hazardous natural mineral.

In 2000, researchers predicted that 12,000 people might die from asbestos-related conditions like cancer, with the death toll peaking in 2015. A WorkSafe spokesperson now believes the peak would be much later in 2030 or 2040, and we’re currently seeing approximately 170 asbestos-related deaths per year.

While we can’t change the past, we can impact the future. If you’re a tradesperson who has come across asbestos in your line of work, here are some of the most crucial steps to take to protect yourself and those around you.

 

Step 1: Stop What You’re Doing

The unfortunate reality is that any structure built before 2000 may contain asbestos. However, not every tradesperson expects to find it where it may be present, which can mean they can be put at risk of exposure without a plan of what to do next.

Stopping what you’re doing is the most crucial first step. Whether the asbestos is friable or non-friable, it may be a health risk to you and those around you if you disturb it any further than you may have already.

 

Step 2: Barrier Off the Area

When you have identified asbestos in your work location, remove all personnel from the area and barrier it off with warning signs. This can prevent anyone else from entering the site accidentally and putting themselves and others at additional risk.

 

Step 3: Look For Signs of Dust and Debris

Once all employees and visitors are safely out of the area that contains asbestos, perform visual inspections of each other to look for any signs of dust and debris from the ACM. This may give you an idea of the exposure type you’re working with, such as friable or non-friable asbestos.

Even if you don’t notice any dust on your body or clothing, remove the top layer of your clothing, place it in a plastic bag, and put on disposable overalls. Alternatively, use a wet wipe or damp rag to wipe down any contaminated clothing. Dispose of that rag or wipe as asbestos waste.

 

Step 4: Notify Those Who Need to Be Told

As no untrained person can step foot on a worksite without appropriate safety measures in place or the go-ahead from someone in charge, notify those who need to be told about the incident as soon as possible. 

This can include your employer, who will have a set list of steps to follow, along with the client who may be affected by this find. Sometimes, the presence of asbestos can cause work delays and also add on extra costs to their project that they possibly weren’t anticipating.

 

Step 5: Get Asbestos Removal Experts Involved

It’s not always easy to confirm the presence of asbestos just by looking at a building material. While you may be 99% sure, it pays to have trained and licenced experts to provide that extra 1% of assurance.

Asbestos removal teams can come in, provide a clean-up service to make your worksite safe again, and can also test the samples so that you can plan for what comes next.

If asbestos has been confirmed, the people who discovered it may have had an exposure event. All those at risk may like to register with the Asbestos Exposure Database provided by WorkSafe.

 

Step 6: Re-enter When Safe to Do So

Only re-enter the building site when asbestos removal experts have confirmed the presence of asbestos and have taken the necessary steps to remove or encapsulate it. This may require you to stand down from a particular job and focus your attention on something else until the premises is made safe.

 

Why is Asbestos Such a Concern?

This natural mineral is a human carcinogen, and all types can cause cancer. The primary way exposure events happen is through breathing in tiny asbestos fibres that have been released into the air.

While a single exposure event may not strike you down with mesothelioma, there’s also no evidence to suggest a single exposure event comes with a 0% risk.

Asbestos exposure can cause a wide range of often fatal conditions, such as:

  • Asbestosis – scarring of the lung tissue

  • Lung cancer

  • Larynx cancer

  • Ovary cancer

  • Mesothelioma – malignant tumours that develop around intestines and lungs

  • Pleural plaques – thickening of the membranes surrounding the lungs

 

Stay Safe at Work

While you may not be expecting to encounter asbestos in the workplace, there have been situations where surprise discoveries have been made. Follow the advice of trained experts and keep yourself out of harm’s way while the site is made safe for you to resume work.

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