The New Plymouth power station was closed in December 2007 following the discovery of asbestos in areas not detailed in the power station’s asbestos register.
Staff working inside the containment area of the power station will be protected by wearing the required personal protective equipment specified in the New Zealand Department of Labour’s asbestos management and removal guidelines.
Contact Energy has discussed the recommissioning project with the Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Service, which is reportedly satisfied with the steps the company has in place to ensure staff safety.
David Baldwin, Contact Energy’s CEO, said: The safety of our people is Contact’s absolute priority. Some Contact staff is already working in the containment area as part of the asbestos removal project, and every person involved in recommissioning and operating this unit will have the same level of protection as those involved in the asbestos removal program.
