Asbestos found in city stockroom

Asbestos was found during the renovation of a storage room at The Warehouse on Cameron Rd. Photo / George Novak

Asbestos has been found in a storage room during renovation work being carried out at a Tauranga branch of The Warehouse.

A spokeswoman for the chain confirmed the substance had been found in a storage area, when questioned by the Bay of Plenty Times.

Tests results back last week revealed the vinyl floor in the stockroom of the Cameron Rd store contained some asbestos, The Warehouse public relations manager Joanne Fullam said.

The floor of the stockroom, a separate building to the store itself, was tested before work to remove it started.

"Consequently we took immediate steps to isolate, close and seal the stockroom, allowing strictly limited access to management team members only," she said.

"We are absolutely confident that there is no risk to customers visiting the store because the stockroom is located in a separate building. Independent experts from the testing laboratory in Auckland and a Tauranga Public Health Protection officer confirmed the chance of team members being exposed to asbestos particles in the air as being very, very low."

The company was waiting on the results of additional testing that was carried out as a precaution, she said.

"Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our team and our customers, which is why we took immediate steps to communicate the situation with team members and answer any questions and concerns."

Ms Fullam said WorkSafe New Zealand, formerly the Department of Labour, had been notified of the situation.

An alternative off-site storeroom had been found so that the existing one could be dismantled using an asbestos removal specialist to ensure best practice, she said.

The renovations were part of the multi-million dollar project to modernise, refit and update stores across the country.

A Worksafe New Zealand spokesman said the organisation had not yet been formally notified, but was aware the company was in the process of doing so.

All work involving asbestos that could be easily crumbled had to be carried out by a person holding a certificate of competence issued by Worksafe New Zealand.

If asbestos was present and undamaged it could be left in place and no further action would be required.

Medical Officer of Health at Toi Te Ora Phil Shoemack said he was aware of the situation at The Warehouse on Cameron Rd but, as it was a workplace, it was a matter for WorkSafe New Zealand.

Asbestos

*It is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals.
*At the end of the 19th century manufacturers and builders started to use asbestos because it absorbed sound, was resistant to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage and affordable.
*The prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious illnesses including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.