5. Outline
• What is asbestos and where is it found
• Christchurch Earthquakes
• Asbestos issues and earthquakes
• Being prepared for any asbestos incident
6. What is Asbestos?
Naturally occurring mineral
3 most common...
Chrysotile (white)
Amosite (brown)
Crocidolite (blue)
7. Why was it used?
• Air pockets create good heat insulation
• Heat and fire resistant
• Fibres can be woven
• Cheap and readily available
8. Why is asbestos a problem?
• Long term health effects
from inhalation of fibre
• Asbestosis
• Lung Cancer
• Mesothelioma
8
19. Red Zone Urgent Demolition
• There will inevitably be contaminated
debris as it is not possible to identify and
isolate asbestos materials before
demolition.
• Issues for workers and those down-wind,
dust suppression
• Transportation
• Disposal
22. We had an audit done We’ve just had the
10 years ago, do you ceiling re-done… do you
have the records? (we think it could have been
can’t find them) asbestos?
Yes, the asbestos was
all removed from the
building years ago.
What’s this then?
28. Responsibility as Principal
• Ensure maintenance staff and contractors
are fully informed that asbestos is present.
• Ensure they are aware of procedures to
follow
• Recommend Asbestos Awareness
Training, preferably tailored to your site.
• Update asbestos register following
removal or following new findings.