Union Says Gas Workers Were Exposed To Carcinogenic Asbestos Fibers

According to two Australian workers unions, recent tests prove that gas workers were exposed to asbestos, a known carcinogen, during the cleanup of the Gorgon gas project area on Barrow Island. According to both Unions WA and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), Chevron, who was leading the project, failed to take measures to protect the health and safety of workers on the site.

Specifically, union officials say that Chevron failed to inform workers on the site that the drums they were in charge of clearing away contained asbestos. These drums were later knocked over, spilling asbestos and possibly posing a health risk to workers and other people in the vicinity.

According to Unions WA secretary Simone McGurk, tests have revealed the presence of both blue and white asbestos. “Unions raised this issue with Chevron over a week ago, but so far there has been no response,” McGurk said.

MUA secretary Chris Cain added that, “It seems that asbestos has spilled onto the pallets and the dirt surrounding the work area.”

Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

A Chevron spokeswoman said, “Everyone involved should be assured that Chevron places the highest priority on the health and safety of its employees.”

Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/business/tests-prove-gorgon-workers-exposed-to-asbestos-union-20100121-mnq4.html