Two companies have been fined more than $50,000 after two workers were exposed to asbestos at Alcoa's Pinjarra alumina refinery.
Monadelphous Engineering Associates and Alcoa of Australia appeared separately in the Mandurah Magistrates Court this week and pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe work environment.
The court heard, in January 2018, two Monadelphous’ employees were attaching a cable tray to a steel column when one of the men used an angle grinder to remove a coating from the support.
This caused particles and fibres from the coating to become airborne.
An occupational hygienist tested a sample of the coating and found it contained a low concentration of white asbestos, a Class 1 carcinogen.
No asbestos was found on the employee’s clothing or gear.
A supervisor from Monadelphous had signed an Authority to Proceed with the cable tray job, but a key part of the form had been left blank.
This meant the two employees were unaware the coating on the steel column contained asbestos.
Director Mines Safety at the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Andrew Chaplyn said asbestos could pose a significant workplace hazard if it was not effectively managed.
“No amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe and inhaling the fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma,” Mr Chaplyn said.
“The two companies should have done more to ensure the two employees were working in a safe environment.
“Employers need to make workers aware of asbestos hazards, use appropriate signage to warn of the hazard and refer to a site’s asbestos register during risk assessments.
“If there is any uncertainty whether materials contain asbestos, a competent person should take a sample before work commences.”
Monadelphous was working at the Pinjarra refinery after Alcoa had contracted the company to install a 33 kV power cable at the site.
Monadelphous was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay costs of $6000 while Alcoa was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay costs of $5000.
Fuel prices surge in Perth, Mandurah
Teen boys charged over Mandurah burglaries
Tragic update in search for missing man Robert Snyder
Premier Roger Cook to leave Kwinana electorate, move to Perth
Mandurah Marine Rescue's new vessel named in memory of nun who survived 1959 boating accident
Teen dies in motorbike crash at Waroona Dam
Shark alert issued after whale carcass reported at Preston Beach
Kwinana businesses to refuse serving students during school hours
Men attacked, campervan windows smashed in East Rockingham