10/05/2026
Watching old footage like this is honestly hard to believe now.
Back then, asbestos was handled, cut, broken and even played with as if it was completely harmless. No PPE, no controls, no understanding of what those airborne fibres could do to people years later.
Today we know better. Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to serious diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is why strict regulations and safe handling procedures are now in place.
Videos like this are an important reminder of why asbestos awareness matters so much, especially in older homes and buildings across New Zealand. What was once considered “normal” would now be viewed as an extremely high risk activity.
If you are renovating, demolishing, or even carrying out maintenance on older buildings, always make sure materials are properly assessed before work begins.
It is crazy looking back at how casually asbestos was treated compared to the standards and controls required today.