Workers angry over WA asbestos scandal

An independent investigation has begun into Perth' s asbestos scandal at the new children's hospital site amid fears many other projects are affected.

A worker exposed to asbestos at Perth's new children's hospital this week says building giant John Holland has provided no medical help as the government announced an independent investigation into the scandal.

Workers were covered in white dust that was released after a roof panel was drilled into on Monday afternoon.

The area was not isolated for 24 hours, with tests later confirming the dust was white asbestos called chrysotile.

It is not the most hazardous asbestos but is banned in Australia and when inhaled can cause deadly diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis.

One of the workers, Matt, said he and other workers were angry that by Friday John Holland had still not organised for medical tests or counselling or told them whether their families should also be checked.

He said he had driven home in his car on Monday covered in dust that could have spread to a child seat and had hugged his two-year-old daughter when he got home.

"We were told we needed to get x-rays and get on a register but nobody has ... confirmed it and the boys were mostly angry because we thought we'd have people down there making sure we're alright," he told ABC radio.

"We just go ahead and work with these materials assuming they are not dangerous because we assume we're being protected by the powers above not to let them in the country in the first place."

JH project director Lindsay Albonica said on Thursday that the safety of workers was the company's first priority.

JH has defended its role in the scandal, saying Chinese company Yuanda, which supplied the roof panels, had provided certificates stating the 150 roof panels did not contain asbestos.

WA Building Commissioner Peter Gow announced on Friday that he would conduct an independent audit into the hospital project and Yuanda.

It is the second time in a week that Yuanda has been caught providing products containing asbestos in Australia, after the lethal material was found in gaskets at a Brisbane office tower.

There are now worries about dozens of major projects and more small ones around Australia that Yuanda has supplied to over the years, including Perth's unfinished new stadium.

"I am working with my colleagues at Worksafe and other authorities to examine what building materials were brought in by the subcontractor Yuanda, where they've been used and to make sure wherever they have been used that those buildings too are safe and suitable to use," Mr Gow told reporters.

"At this point I don't think anyone could say they are free (from asbestos) until we've had a good look and carried out investigations to make sure sites are safe."


Share
Published 15 July 2016 9:30pm
Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world