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.
City of Kwinana proposes 4.5 per cent rate rise
Recreational boat fishers offered $50 rebate for fishing gear at participating tackle shops
Waikiki teen among the best CrossFit athletes in the world
Mandurah's Kerrie Overell crowned WA Volunteer of the Year
Wellard home destroyed by fire
Woman fined $7k after catching 134 undersize crabs in Coodanup
Mandurah mayor Amber Kearns 'disappointed' in councillor Peter Rogers' decision to resign
Speed limit dropped to 70km/h on stretch of Mandurah Road in Secret Harbour
WA Police officer tragically dies in hospital days after Hopeland crash