Asbestos fears at refinery demolition
There has been another health scare for workers at the Port Stanvac refinery demolition site.
7News understands an excavator unearthed a large amount of asbestos last Saturday week.
It is believed as many as 12 workers were in the immediate area at the time.
An exclusion zone has been established, but there are fears exposed contractors weren’t properly decontaminated.
It is understood tests on their clothes later revealed traces of the potentially deadly substance.
It is not unusual for asbestos to be found on site – there is apparently lots of it just below the ground’s surface.
But some workers are worried about what they call a lack of procedure to protect them from it.
The construction workers’ union is also concerned the demolition contractor isn’t keeping staff in the loop.
Workers only recently returned to the site after being sent home for about three weeks when traces of potentially lethal legionella were found in drinking water.
Mobil says every step is being taken to ensure the safety of its staff.
Union officials are expected to inspect the site tomorrow morning, and speak to workers about their concerns.
SafeWork SA is investigating.
