CALLING ALL TRADES PEOPLE OR HOME RENOVATORS

If you're a plumber, builder, electrician, gas fittter, telecom engineer or another type of tradesperson who works in buildings and homes throughout New Zealand, then you're highly likely to encounter asbestos.

Asbestos is a genuine workplace health hazard, that may not effect you now, but it could have serious consequences down the track if you are exposed to it. What are the key things you need to know about working in and around asbestos? What are the legal & insurance ramifications? And how do you keep yourself safe, but also your family by ensuring that you don't take any possible contamination home with you?

If you'd like to know more about how to work safely around asbestos, then why not come along to the Asbestos Awareness Week Conference and Expo on Thursday 12th April in Auckland. This a free education day run by the New Zealand Demolition & Asbestos Association in conjunction with WorkSafe and other industry partners.

Agenda topics Include:

• The Basics - What is asbestos and where it can be found.

• The Regulations - What are the regulatory requirements for tradespeople encountering asbestos?

• Asbestos Related Diseases - What are the consequences of asbestos exposure directly or indirectly?

• Asbestos Surveys - Types of surveys and who can conduct these ?

• Asbestos Today - What is the state of the asbestos industry around the world? Import risks?

• Asbestos Management Plans - What are these and who needs one?

• Asbestos Safety - PPE advice for tradespeople and the home renovator

In addition to the conference there will also be a mini expo with relevant industry providers sharing information on personal protective equipment (PPE) and other relevant tools and equipment necessary for safe asbestos work.

For more information on asbestos in general you can also visit the campaign website www.theafactor.co.nz which contains an overview of the key information tradespeople and home renovators needs to know, or the WorkSafeNZ website.

For other similar regional events later in the year - sign up for notifications on www.theafactor.co.nz