WA workers potentially exposed to asbestos

The WA government has confirmed 88 Water Corp staff and contractors have potentially been exposed to asbestos while working on a Wheatbelt tank.

Water Corporation staff and contractors working on a concrete water tank in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region have potentially been exposed to deadly asbestos, the state government has confirmed.

Opposition water spokesman Dave Kelly revealed to the media on Thursday that 88 workers had been exposed to the material while grinding the floor of the tank, at Minnivale near Wyalkatchem, and while removing exterior cladding.

Water Minister Mia Davies was livid in parliament on Thursday, saying she had discussed the matter with Mr Kelly on Wednesday night and he'd revealed it publicly before all of the workers had been notified.

"I'm absolutely appalled that we're having this conversation in a public forum when I explicitly went to the shadow minister yesterday and advised him that this had been brought to my attention and that there were still people ... that had not been advised," Ms Davies said.


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Published 22 October 2015 5:36pm
Updated 22 October 2015 5:40pm
Source: AAP


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