A construction company was notified that the demolition site that they were working on had asbestos contamination. The company continued demolition work and instructed staff to work around the asbestos containing material.

The District Court sentenced the company under the Health and Safety in Employment Act for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its employees while at work.

WorkSafe New Zealand stated that the company should have identified all asbestos containing materials and decontaminated the site before resuming demolition work.

The Court fined the company $45,000.