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Asbestos found in Reserve Bank building in Wellington

Author
NZ Herald Staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 16 May 2018, 5:43PM
Asbestos has been found on one level of the building that houses the Reserve Bank in Wellington. (Photo/ Google)
Asbestos has been found on one level of the building that houses the Reserve Bank in Wellington. (Photo/ Google)

Asbestos found in Reserve Bank building in Wellington

Author
NZ Herald Staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 16 May 2018, 5:43PM

The building that houses the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in central Wellington is closed until further notice after the discovery of asbestos on one level.

The bank's essential operations, such as financial markets, were being done from the bank's Auckland premises and were not affected, the bank said in a statement.

A small trace of asbestos was discovered on level 1 yesterday.

"We undertook an air test on level 1 and have since learned that this is clear, and appropriate remedial action has been taken on this level," Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr said.

"However, we understand that, because of the age of the building, asbestos must be presumed to be present. For that reason, we periodically conduct air monitoring across the building to ensure levels remain below the allowable trace level of 0.01 fibres per millilitre of air."

As a precaution the bank had closed the building until it was confirmed that there was no risk to human health and remediation had been carried out.

Staff left this afternoon.

A spokesman said it was not known when the building would be cleared for staff to return.
It was hoped there would be an update tomorrow.

The spokesman said many staff were able to work remotely from home and essential services would continue to operate from Auckland.

Other tenants of the building had been informed and had made their own arrangements.

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