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- Release Date: 27/08/13 12:16
- Summary: GENERAL: FBU: Winstone Wallboards temporarily closes Christchurch plant
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FBU
27/08/2013 10:16
GENERAL
REL: 1016 HRS Fletcher Building Limited
GENERAL: FBU: Winstone Wallboards temporarily closes Christchurch plant
As a precautionary measure, Winstone Wallboards advises it has temporarily
closed its Christchurch plasterboard manufacturing plant on Opawa Road
following the discovery of traces of asbestos in the manufacturing building.
The company was notified of this on 26 August by an external testing agency,
during preparations for the replacement of the building's roof.
"It is understood the traces of asbestos originate from the roof and that
those traces are likely to have been contained within the manufacturing
building," said Winstone Wallboards general manager David Thomas.
As a precaution the entire site, including office and dispatch buildings, was
closed yesterday to ensure the safety of employees and contractors and so
further testing could be carried out. We anticipate the results of these
tests will be known by this afternoon.
"The company is not aware of any related health symptoms, however as a
precaution health checks will be made available to employees and contractors.
The health and safety of our workforce is our number one priority," Mr Thomas
said.
Staff will be retained on full pay and kept informed as further information
becomes available.
Winstone Wallboards has been advised by an asbestos removal specialist that
there should be no concern of contamination to neighbouring properties.
The company anticipates there could be initial order delays of 24 to 48
hours for South Island customers. It is hoped the Christchurch distribution
centre will be operational again on Wednesday.
The company's Auckland manufacturing plant will be utilised to maintain
supply into the market until the Christchurch manufacturing plant is
operational again.
All staff and contractors are being asked to remain out of the affected area
until further notice.
For further information contact:
Rick Osborne
General Manager Corporate Affairs
Phone: +64 9 525 9115
Mobile: +64 21 889 054
End CA:00240229 For:FBU Type:GENERAL Time:2013-08-27 10:16:33
