❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Department of Health's handling of asbestos found at a building site in East Cannington, particularly regarding its proximity to a school and the actions taken by Canning Council and contractors. The Minister's response clarifies responsibilities and actions taken.
AnsweredQoN 5603Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Further to my question without notice No. 168, asked on 29 March 2012, regarding the building site at 190 Station Street, East Cannington at which asbestos was found in late February 2012, I ask —
(1) Given that the Department of Health is responsible for the local council acting as its agent to ensure compliance with the
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996
, why was the Department of Health not aware of the issue and what steps have been taken in relation to it?
(2) Has the building site at 190 Station Street, East Cannington been re-inspected by Canning Council to ensure that no asbestos remains at the building site?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2), what was the result of the inspection?
(5) Is the Minister for Health aware that there is a primary school and kindergarten in close proximity to the building site?
(6) Were dust samples taken from the area surrounding the building site after the removal of the asbestos to analyse the extent of asbestos pollution in the neighbourhood?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) If yes to (6), what was the result of the analysis?
(9) Has the Department for Health been notified that the contractor who removed the asbestos did so without protective clothing?
(10) If yes to (9), did the Department for Health notify WorkSafe of the incident?
(1) Given that the Department of Health is responsible for the local council acting as its agent to ensure compliance with the
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996
, why was the Department of Health not aware of the issue and what steps have been taken in relation to it?
(2) Has the building site at 190 Station Street, East Cannington been re-inspected by Canning Council to ensure that no asbestos remains at the building site?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) If yes to (2), what was the result of the inspection?
(5) Is the Minister for Health aware that there is a primary school and kindergarten in close proximity to the building site?
(6) Were dust samples taken from the area surrounding the building site after the removal of the asbestos to analyse the extent of asbestos pollution in the neighbourhood?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) If yes to (6), what was the result of the analysis?
(9) Has the Department for Health been notified that the contractor who removed the asbestos did so without protective clothing?
(10) If yes to (9), did the Department for Health notify WorkSafe of the incident?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 June 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Health
Response time
27 days
(1) The Department of Health (DOH) has no authority in regard to occupational safety and health legislation. This is a WorkSafe responsibility; however, local government is authorised and directed to carry out within its jurisdiction the provisions of the
Health Act 1911
, including the Health
(Asbestos) Regulations 1992
. Local government will usually only contact the DOH on related issues if it requires special assistance.
(2) Yes.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Some asbestos cement fragments remain on the site and the DOH has advised the City of Canning to ensure that any remaining asbestos cement is removed by an approved asbestos removalist. Under normal circumstances, asbestos cement material does not present a major risk to public health as the fibres are bound together in a solid cement matrix. However, a risk can occur if such material is crushed or abraded in some way, potentially releasing fibres into the air.
(5) Yes, although the closest of these appears to be at least several hundred metres from the property concerned.
(6) Not to the DOH's knowledge.
(7) This should be referred to the City of Canning. However, in this particular situation, where asbestos building debris was disturbed several years ago, the DOH would not expect any off-site migration of asbestos that would present a health risk.
(8) Not applicable.
(9) No.
(10) Not applicable.
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Health Act 1911
, including the Health
(Asbestos) Regulations 1992
. Local government will usually only contact the DOH on related issues if it requires special assistance.
(2) Yes.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Some asbestos cement fragments remain on the site and the DOH has advised the City of Canning to ensure that any remaining asbestos cement is removed by an approved asbestos removalist. Under normal circumstances, asbestos cement material does not present a major risk to public health as the fibres are bound together in a solid cement matrix. However, a risk can occur if such material is crushed or abraded in some way, potentially releasing fibres into the air.
(5) Yes, although the closest of these appears to be at least several hundred metres from the property concerned.
(6) Not to the DOH's knowledge.
(7) This should be referred to the City of Canning. However, in this particular situation, where asbestos building debris was disturbed several years ago, the DOH would not expect any off-site migration of asbestos that would present a health risk.
(8) Not applicable.
(9) No.
(10) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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