Asbestos Awareness Week: deadly disease takes years to develop

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

This week is Asbestos Awareness Week (November 20–26).

As New Zealand’s number one workplace killer, asbestos is responsible for approximately 220 deaths each year due to related diseases.

Now is a great opportunity to educate and remind tradies and businesses across New Zealand about the critical importance of protecting workers from the dangers of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is no stranger to many sites in Gisborne.

Only last month, Turanga Gardens, on Hospital Hill, closed for the foreseeable future after multiple erosion sites and signs of asbestos were found.

The Hawaiki Tūranga sculpture has long been planned to be erected near the Waikanae Steam, but Gisborne District Council and iwi have not yet agreed on how to remedy the site contaminated by asbestos.

This awareness week serves as an important reminder to prioritise health and safety when working in construction industries.

For more information, resources, and guidance on how to protect workers from asbestos exposure, go to www.worksafe.govt.nz/asbestos

One of the roles of WorkSafe is to regulate asbestos in the workplace.

The workplace includes homes when work or repairs are done by a contractor

Asbestos-related diseases take many years to develop.

Symptoms developing within months of exposure are unlikely to be related to asbestos exposure.

However, if you believe you have been exposed to asbestos, you can put your details on the WorkSafe New Zealand Asbestos Exposure register.

You will receive information on asbestos while the register provides WorkSafe with valuable information to help with the management of potential exposure to asbestos.