More illegal asbestos found being imported
Concerns continue to grow as yet another South Australian Company is put under investigation for importing building materials illegally containing asbestos.
Six months after asbestos was detected in the cement fibre boards used to build the electrical substations on the Seaford rail line, Adelaide-based company Australian Portable Camps has discovered that its cement fibre board contains white asbestos, chrysotile. A spokesperson for Australian Portable Camps has stated that since becoming aware of the problem the contaminated board has been quarantined.
The illegal importation of products contaminated with asbestos into Australia is a growing concern. Australian Border Force has confirmed that the building products received by Australian Portable Camps were from the same Chinese manufacturer as those supplied to Robin Johnson Engineering, who were contracted to build the electrical substations on the Seaford rail line. According the Robin Johnson Engineering, the cement fibre board was certified as ‘asbestos-free’ at the time it was purchased.
Attorney-General John Rau has said that the company is being investigated by Safework SA. He also confirmed that workers have been informed of the situation, and provided with counselling services and health checks.
Workplace safety authorities have continued to monitor dozens of building sites across Australia where contaminated building products have been used. Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency CEO Peter Tighe has said that these initial discoveries represent the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of an emerging problem of products containing asbestos being imported into Australia as local manufacturing continues to decline and increasing reliance is placed on foreign-sourced building products.
If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos you should speak with your doctor. If you are suffering an asbestos related illness you should also seek legal advice from one of our specialist dust diseases lawyers on 13 43 63.
See the original news article here.
