Curtis Island LNG Hub Workers Exposed to Asbestos by Employer

According to a union spokesperson, Queensland Island workers have potentially been exposed to asbestos by their American employer.The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) is pushing for an inquiry into the US engineering powerhouse Bechtel since the alleged exposure to asbestos at Queensland’s future LNG hub, Curtis Island.

ETU state secretary Peter Simpson revealed that he has evidence that 90 out of the union’s 200 members working on the island, were exposed to the cancerous substance while working with construction materials supplied by Indonesia’s Metito.

Simpson stated that results of the investigation show that Bechtel, the main contractor of the site, failed basic duties of care which subsequently resulted in exposure to white asbestos — an illegal and deadly substance. The union is currently attempting to will Bechtel into revealing the location and depth of their dealings with Metito. The union wants to have full transparency before,during and after exposures.

Bechtel has apparently also denied worker’s wages following their recent absences from work after the asbestos exposure.

This is one of various asbestos related cases to emerge in the past month. Asbestos exposure is potentially fatal and can result in numerous ailments, such as mesothelioma and other cancers.

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Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/electrical-trades-union-claims-workers-on-curtis-island-queenslands-planned-lng-hub-have-allegedly-been-exposed-to-asbestos/story-e6freoof-1226439513940