A Christchurch construction firm has been fined $45,000 for failing to take action when asbestos was found at a demolition site.
Blakely Construction Limited was demolishing a building on Edgeware Road last year when it hired a specialist contractor to remove roofing sheets containing asbestos.
The contractor found more asbestos contamination on site and advised Blakely Construction, but the site manager told staff to carry on working around the asbestos.
Work continued for a week before a complaint was made to WorkSafe which issued an immediate prohibition notice.
WorkSafe said there were clear rules around asbestos and, as an experienced demolition contractor, there was no excuse for Blakely Construction not to meet safety obligations.
