KiwiRail apologises for not telling workers about asbestos risk

The Rail and Maritime Transport Union has discovered KiwiRail knew buildings across more than a dozen sites contained asbestos, but never told those who worked in them.

The State Owned Enterprise admits its communication could have been better, but says the risk to staff is minimal.

KiwiRail undertook asbestos surveys in 2021 and 2022 and identified 27 buildings across 16 sites where there was asbestos present. Some of the buildings were deemed ‘high-risk’.

The Rail and Maritime Transport Union said it became aware of the surveys when work was due to be done at the Wellington rail yard in March this year.  

Union health and safety organiser Karen Fletcher said it asked KiwiRail to do a test before work got underway because the union suspected there was asbestos present.

“We asked them to do some asbestos testing before they started the work and then do testing again at the end to make sure that any dust is managed, and they agreed to do it.  

“And they went away, and they must have spoken to the property division at that point, and then property said, ‘Oh no we know there’s asbestos there because we’ve done a survey’. We were like, ‘Well, have you … we don’t know anything about it’.” 

Fletcher said further information from the property team confirmed comprehensive work had been done a couple of years ago.  

“Property, sort of sheepishly said, actually we’ve done surveys. So they looked at the entire property portfolio and worked out which ones had asbestos, what level of risk it was, and developed asbestos management plans to deal with that issue. 

“Which is what they’re supposed to do, it’s what the regulations require, so that was all good but the only problem was they didn’t tell the people that worked in those places.” 

The union has since learned most staff did not know about the risk; some did, but the communication had been ad hoc.  

KiwiRail property executive general manager Anna Allen has apologised.

“While we have met all regulatory requirements, there are inconsistencies in communications with affected staff at various sites. I apologise for this and we are now working to improve and standardise this communication. 

 “We are actively engaging with the Rail and Maritime Transport Union as we move forward.”

She said many of KiwiRail’s buildings were constructed when asbestos was commonly used.

“Generally, the risk sites have some asbestos-containing materials that need to be safely removed and there is minimal risk to our staff. 

“Through our surveys we also identified a small number of higher-risk sites, and we took quick action to remediate the asbestos risk. Managers and staff at these sites were notified. 

“We have developed asbestos management plans for all sites that contain asbestos and continue working through remediations with our specialist contractors.”

But Fletcher is now attempting to get the word out herself.  

“People were just really bemused and shocked and were left wondering ‘Well, what does this mean for us?’ So we’ve put out a list of all the sites because we don’t really have any confidence that KiwiRail is actually going to properly inform everybody.  

“Because of the worry, of course, if people don’t know they might drill into the walls and disrupt the asbestos. Asbestos is really common in the buildings but people need to know so they can manage it.” 

Despite KiwiRail maintaining all regulations had been followed, the union planned to raise the issue with WorkSafe.  

“They did do good work, in terms of they did the survey, they did the reports and the reports are quite detailed. 

“But, and I don’t know how, but they did forget that when you’re doing stuff like this you’ve absolutely got to engage with the people who work there.

“It’s completely essential and it’s the law as well. So, we’ll need to go and talk to WorkSafe about it.”