Company fined for asbestos violation

A principal contractor has been fined $3600 for failing to review an asbestos register, leading to workers carrying out demolition work being exposed to asbestos fibres. A SafeWork SA investigation found that the asbestos register was readily accessible and had recorded the presence of asbestos for the area being demolished.

The principal contractor who had control of the workplace failed to review and revise the asbestos register prior to commencing the demolition work. SafeWork SA has reminded businesses that asbestos is a known human carcinogen, with sufficient evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

“Asbestos legislation and licensing exists for the protection of workers and others engaged in such work, and for the protection of the public,” said Martyn Campbell, SafeWork SA Executive Director.

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