http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-08/union-raises-asbestos-fears-at-nbn-sites/4677104?section=business
There are calls for work to stop immediately on Tasmania’s NBN roll-out amid concerns about the potential for exposure to asbestos.
The Electrical Trades Union’s David Mier says he has visited nine sites around Hobart this morning and two were next to asbestos pits.
He says only five of about 50 subcontractors working at the sites had undergone the mandatory asbestos awareness course.
“Not only are they exposing themselves to the potential of asbestos fibres, but the general public as well,” he said.
“Clearly I’d be suggesting the work should cease until they’ve been adequately trained.”
He says unwitting workers are digging up asbestos-lined telephone pits.
“Potentially it can put lives at risk, the workforce and the general public,” he said.
“I’ll be writing a chronology of events and a precis of what we’ve seen here and we’ll be submitting that to Conroy and NBN Co and we’ll be asking questions; why aren’t their obligations being fulfilled?”
The workplace safety agency Comcare says it is intervening on specific sites.
A spokesman is working with NBN Co to improve current systems, including around asbestos awareness training.
the real problem is missed
if you are drilling a hole into the side of a house how can you be sure what you are drilling into isn’t asbestos? you can’t, so you leave a pile of “dust” floating around in the house. the owner normally doesn’t twig.
I’ve just walked away from the NBN job because of this problem, I might be down a few bucks but at least I won’t be dead in a few years whilst the boss sips on some frothy beers watching tv.
they should never have started going back into the roof cavities and drilling into peoples houses
I can only hope for safetys sake that after September the NBN project will get shut down and the coalition solution be adopted where no one is mucking around with crappy old buildings with asbestos in them