❓ A parliamentary question regarding asbestos exposure at the Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation. The Minister's response outlines existing regulations and monitoring procedures, but avoids directly answering the specific numbers requested.
AnsweredQoN 374Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CAPE PRESTON MINING OPERATION — ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION
I refer the minister to question without notice 181 asked some time ago—not yesterday—relating to the Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation. (1) How many workers have been exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (2) How many workers have been at risk of being exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (3) What current medical monitoring is being done in regard to the workers? (4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE
I refer the minister to question without notice 181 asked some time ago—not yesterday—relating to the Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation. (1) How many workers have been exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (2) How many workers have been at risk of being exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (3) What current medical monitoring is being done in regard to the workers? (4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(1) How many workers have been exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (2) How many workers have been at risk of being exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (3) What current medical monitoring is being done in regard to the workers? (4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(2) How many workers have been at risk of being exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (3) What current medical monitoring is being done in regard to the workers? (4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(3) What current medical monitoring is being done in regard to the workers? (4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(1) How many workers have been exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (2) How many workers have been at risk of being exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (3) What current medical monitoring is being done in regard to the workers? (4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(2) How many workers have been at risk of being exposed to blue asbestos since the project started? (3) What current medical monitoring is being done in regard to the workers? (4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(3) What current medical monitoring is being done in regard to the workers? (4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(4) Who will be responsible for compensating workers who fall sick from exposure to asbestos in this operation? Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I might add that this answer is relevant to 4 May when the question was first asked. (1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(1)–(2) Fibrous minerals occur naturally in many parts of Western Australia. They form only under particular geological circumstances, and the regions with potential for fibrous minerals can be defined on geological maps. For this reason, mining companies are required to prepare an asbestos management plan when working in areas with the potential for the occurrence of fibrous minerals to ensure that all workers at their sites are not exposed to higher than acceptable levels. The mining occupational health regulator has produced guidelines to assist mining operations in identifying and managing the potential for fibrous minerals exposure. I am advised that in the specific Citic Pacific Cape Preston mining operation, Citic Pacific has put in place strategies to minimise employee exposure, as previously stated in the response to parliamentary question without notice 181 answered on 4 May 2010. (3) I am advised that Citic Pacific has put in place procedures whereby all people working for the mining operator are given pre-employment medical checks and are subject to the mining health surveillance system, called MineHealth, under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. (4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
(4) There is no reason to believe that this situation will arise due to the controls in place.
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