Industrial rounds

Asbestos wharf

SYDNEY: Ferry workers raised the alarm at Manly Wharf, in April, that contractors removing asbestos from the wharf were endangering members and the public.

Deputy Branch Secretary Glen Wood reports that he received notice of concerns that removal of asbestos was not in accordance with the regulations. The contractor had not arranged for curtains to be put in place to stop the fibres blowing onto workers or commuters. He also failed to erect the proper signage informing all of the danger of the removal of the asbestos.

"We shut the wharf down because we were worried about the safety of our members and the general public," said Glen Wood.

Sydney Ferries called in WorkCover to inspect the site, while Glen made a call to the CFMEU with two of their organisers arriving at the site.

The WorkCover inspector confirmed that the contractor was in breach of the regulations and would have to put precautions in place before any more asbestos was removed. The CFMEU organisers also informed the builder that after the Easter break they would be inspecting the whole Manly wharf construction site to see if any other breaches of the regulations had been made.

Once WorkCover gave the all clear, Glen Wood allowed the Sydney Ferries to recommence operations. He would like to thank the members for showing concern with this dangerous material.