❓ Mr. Kelly questions the Minister for Water regarding asbestos exposure during the Minnivale reservoir refurbishment, specifically concerning the number of people exposed and whether staff were misled about the presence of asbestos. The Minister acknowledges the increased number of affected individuals and outlines ongoing investigations and support measures.
AnsweredQoN 921Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER
CORPORATION — MINNIVALE RESERVOIR — ASBESTOS
921. Mr D.J. KELLY to the
Minister for Water:
I refer the minister to the Water Corporation's
admission that it exposed staff to asbestos during the refurbishment of the
Minnivale reservoir.
(1) Was the
number of people known to have been exposed to asbestos during these works in
fact 138, and not 88, as previously acknowledged by the government?
(2) Were Water
Corporation staff and contractors advised by the Water Corporation that the
buildings on-site were free of asbestos despite the reservoir plans clearly
identifying nine-millimetre asbestos sheeting on the outside of the building?
CORPORATION — MINNIVALE RESERVOIR — ASBESTOS
921. Mr D.J. KELLY to the
Minister for Water:
I refer the minister to the Water Corporation's
admission that it exposed staff to asbestos during the refurbishment of the
Minnivale reservoir.
(1) Was the
number of people known to have been exposed to asbestos during these works in
fact 138, and not 88, as previously acknowledged by the government?
(2) Were Water
Corporation staff and contractors advised by the Water Corporation that the
buildings on-site were free of asbestos despite the reservoir plans clearly
identifying nine-millimetre asbestos sheeting on the outside of the building?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for the question.
(1)–(2)
It has taken some time for us to work through with contractors that were
involved in those site works, alongside our own Water Corporation employees. It
now appears that 138 people had an involvement with the site over the entire
contract. We have taken time to make sure that we cast a very broad net to
ensure that everyone who may have had an involvement or any interaction at that
site is availed of the information that the corporation is providing and that
they are offered assistance and their names added to the asbestos register.
Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number that we provided when
we first spoke about this matter in this place, but it was reached as a result
of a very thorough, and ongoing, member, I might add, investigation into how
this came about.
The Water Corporation does not
resile from the fact that its own workers and contractors have been exposed to
asbestos. It is absolutely committed to making sure that every person who has
been involved receives the appropriate support going forward. The detailed
investigation into the incident is continuing. The Water Corporation is meeting
with WorkSafe on an ongoing basis. I had a briefing yesterday on where it is up
to. The Water Corporation will provide a report to WorkSafe at the end of that
process. It is being overseen by a subcommittee of the Water Corporation's
board. At that point WorkSafe will provide recommendations or directions to the
Water Corporation. In the interim, the Water Corporation is, of course, looking
at its other sites, making sure that it is putting in place mechanisms to
prevent this from happening again. It takes its responsibility for occupational
safety and health very seriously, and this is a very serious matter for the
corporation.
member for the question.
(1)–(2)
It has taken some time for us to work through with contractors that were
involved in those site works, alongside our own Water Corporation employees. It
now appears that 138 people had an involvement with the site over the entire
contract. We have taken time to make sure that we cast a very broad net to
ensure that everyone who may have had an involvement or any interaction at that
site is availed of the information that the corporation is providing and that
they are offered assistance and their names added to the asbestos register.
Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number that we provided when
we first spoke about this matter in this place, but it was reached as a result
of a very thorough, and ongoing, member, I might add, investigation into how
this came about.
The Water Corporation does not
resile from the fact that its own workers and contractors have been exposed to
asbestos. It is absolutely committed to making sure that every person who has
been involved receives the appropriate support going forward. The detailed
investigation into the incident is continuing. The Water Corporation is meeting
with WorkSafe on an ongoing basis. I had a briefing yesterday on where it is up
to. The Water Corporation will provide a report to WorkSafe at the end of that
process. It is being overseen by a subcommittee of the Water Corporation's
board. At that point WorkSafe will provide recommendations or directions to the
Water Corporation. In the interim, the Water Corporation is, of course, looking
at its other sites, making sure that it is putting in place mechanisms to
prevent this from happening again. It takes its responsibility for occupational
safety and health very seriously, and this is a very serious matter for the
corporation.
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