Mormons In Asbestos Blue

A New Zealand Mormon Church has been at the centre of legal action after it was found a demolition contractor had not taken adequate precautions to protect workers from asbestos.

New Zealand's Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) has decided to take legal action against contractor Demolition Services Hawke's Bay, for an alleged breach of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

OSH area service manager Murray Thompson said an investigation was held into the demolition of the Church Of Latter Day Saints in Hawke' Bay after an unspecified amount of asbestos was found in floor tiling in the building.

Mr Thompson said that tender documents clearly warned of the risk.

The news follows a landmark New Zealand court decision that secures what unions claim is long-delayed justice for asbestos victims

A New Zealand District Court ruled that New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) must pay lump sum compensation to victims of asbestos diseases.

"The Aotearoa New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU) is delighted that the Court has recognised the justice of the claim for lump sum compensation by victims of asbestos diseases," says CTU president Ross Wilson. "The current epidemic of mesothelioma victims is one of the hidden tragedies in New Zealand society.

"Asbestos exposure is the only cause of Mesothelioma which is inevitably fatal."

"It is only fair that society should recognise and compensate for this work-related exposure which continued in New Zealand workplaces, government and private, for decades after asbestos was recognised as a very dangerous substance."

"The ACC should set aside any idea of further appeals and accept its responsibility to these soldiers of industry who were never warned of this deadly hidden hazard in their workplace."

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:34 EST