Chemwash – An Update On Asbestos

Published on: March 9th, 2023

Chemwash values health and safety within our cleaning services and working environment for our cleaning experts. Although our industry is classed as the lowest possible risk (asbestos-related work workers), it is essential that we are trained to identify materials that contain asbestos and that you, the customer, are aware of the risks these materials pose. Therefore, we train our staff to protect themselves on the job to protect their well-being and yours.

What is asbestos, and why is it important?

The NZ Ministry of Health defines asbestos as a natural mineral and a proven human carcinogen. There is no “safe” limit for asbestos exposure, and the amount and time of exposure correlate with the likelihood of developing asbestos-related health issues. To learn more about the health risks, see the asbestos resources provided by Manatū Hauora.

Houses built before 2000 often have aging asbestos-containing building products in the sheet cladding, roofing, and drainage pipes. Historically, builders intentionally used materials containing asbestos because it was an effective insulator and strengthened the materials. Manufacturing or importing materials made with raw fibrous asbestos is now illegal. When these materials are in their prime condition, it is considered low-level asbestos exposure. Health concerns naturally arise when the material degrades and surfaces become damaged or disturbed. Worksafe NZ provides a comprehensive guide on where asbestos can be found in and around your home. 

Most Common Types of Asbestos

• Chrysotile (white) is the most common type of asbestos, presenting as curly fibres with a layered structure.
• Amosite (brown) is the most hazardous as the sharp need-life fibres can be easily inhaled.
• Crocidolite (blue) was once commonly used in spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, and cement products.

Keeping Our Team Safe & Qualified

The Chemwash team is susceptible to encountering asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in the field. We actively ensure our cleaning experts are informed on the dangers of asbestos and comply with the laws to maintain a safe working environment. Safety is our top priority for our team and customers, and we are committed to servicing our customers’ properties with care and expertise. We train our employees on asbestos awareness to ensure they are highly qualified to assess your property.

Our Process

Our assessors and field staff have completed an asbestos awareness training program, any material that they believe is potentially asbestos will be treated as if it was.

We will document these materials and inform you of our findings. If this occurs, we will encourage you to test these materials to confirm asbestos is present. 

When working with our team, you can expect the following:

• During our process, you will be asked if there is any known asbestos on your property, the office staff will ask you during our first communication, and then the assessor will ask again when they inspect the property.
• If our assessor discovers potential asbestos, we will document these areas by taking photos and uploading them to our database. These photos and information will then be emailed to you along with your quotation.
• Before we carry out any work on a property with potential asbestos, our staff will have a toolbox meeting to discuss the hazard (and other hazards on your property).
• Any potential material that contains asbestos will not have any water pressure higher than 50 PSI applied. In most cases, the other cleaning treatment we would carry out would be a spray and leave clean.

These processes have been put in place so that we do not put our workers, our customers, or the public at risk.

If you want to discuss our policies when identifying and managing asbestos exposure, please call us at 04 474 2255.