'Deceitful' Christchurch builder fined for unlicensed asbestos removal

Thursday, 8 November 2018

A Christchurch builder has been fined for unsafe removal of asbestos during a house demolition.

A 'deceitful' Christchurch builder has been fined for unsafe asbestos removal, the first sentencing under strict new rules around the dangerous material.

The District Court fined Richard John Knight of RM Solutions $3000 after finding he was unlicensed and unqualified for an asbestos removal job, part of a Riccarton house demolition in February 2017, a WorkSafe statement said.

WorkSafe's inquiry found Knight did not have the removal license required for the job, and did not safely manage the asbestos risks during the demolition by failing to decontaminate equipment used in the demolition, failing to wear appropriate protective gear, and allowing others to enter the house without protective gear.

Knight also deceived the property owners into thinking he was licensed to do the work, WorkSafe said.

* Botched asbestos removal job results in $35k fine**

Head of specialist interventions Simon Humphries said Knight needed a Class A removal license for the job, but 'instead of ensuring a competent person was engaged, decided to flout the law'.

'This worker was deceitful and dangerous and we don't need these sorts of people working in the construction industry.'

During Knight's sentencing on Friday, Judge Gary MacAskill took a starting point of $10,000 and allowed discounts for an early guilty plea, co-operation with WorkSafe, and no prior offending.

MacAskill also took into account Knight's financial situation, as RM Solutions went into liquidation on May 4, 2017.

Knight was found to be in breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Health and Safety at Work (asbestos) Regulations 2016. The maximum penalty is a fine up to $20,000.

The sentencing was the first of its kind under new asbestos regulations, WorkSafe said.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of many strong fibres which are heat, chemical and fire resistant.

It is a proven carcinogen and can cause a range of respiratory problems. People are exposed to asbestos when they breathe in air containing its fibres, but there is no risk to people when in solid form.

It was widely used in cladding, roofing, spouting, insulation boards, textured ceilings, and backings for tiles or vinyls up until 1980's, when its use was gradually stopped due to the health risks.

Knight has been approached for comment.