Asbestos at DH's work

[Rainbowbrite]

DH works in a factory & Asbestos has been found in the building :eek:

"Apparently" its only in one area of the roof but the whole building is the same age. All his work has done is tape off that area & had it vacuumed up :shame: They told the workers
you can work around it.

To me thats not good enough :thumbsdown: Is there anywhere I can call/report it as i dont want him there if it is dangerous. This is the same company that lets DH weld with a hole in the roof directly over his area meaning if it rains, he gets soaked :thumbsdown:

I'm really concerned, what can I do?

[rynosmum]

Asbestos still exists in so many places and is fine whilst painted and 'sealed'. Once it breaks up, it's the fibres that are a cause for concern.

If this is broken up (and it sounds like it is) call Council, the Health Department or even better - Workcover. No one should be expected to work 'around' it. It needs to be removed and disposed of professionally.

Good Pickup D !

[Rainbowbrite]

They found the fibres/dust on the top shelves of the warehouse from what DH says. The bosses are idiots :thumbsdown: they have no concern for the workers :mad:

[EskimoMumma]

There is defiantly something wrong that is happening at your DH's work :detective:

Is he involved ina union?

[Rainbowbrite]

Is he involved ina union?

Nope. They tried to bring one in but the bosses threatened to fire anyone who joined :thumbsdown: They took them to court & lost, the bosses got their way :banghead:

[Tam-I-Am]

There are really strict guidelines about how to treat and remove asbestos, and if you need to, get WorkCover involved. You don't need to be part of a union to do so, but your DH's bosses have a legal responsibility to provide a safe workplace for their employees.

Please please do something about this ASAP - we just watch DH's father die of mesothelioma (asbestosis) and it is such a horrible (and preventable!) disease. It only takes one fibre to be inhaled for there to be problems. I don't mean to scare you, but I would be telling your DH to call in sick until the situation is resolved.

This is some info that I found on the WorkCover website - http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au


WorkCover Advisory Service - 1800 136 089
The WorkCover Advisory Service offers:

detailed recorded information service 24 hours a day covering the most frequently asked questions in both Compensation and Occupational health and Safety including the option to speak to an advisor during business hours (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday).
answers to general occupational health and safety enquiries
advice to workers of their WorkCover rights, including health and
safety and what to do if they are injured
employer advice on WorkCover premium and WorkCover policy issues
explaining return to work and rehabilitation rights and obligations
help to resolve worker and employer concerns that could not be
overcome with the WorkCover agent
order and enquire about all VWA and WorkSafe publications

You can contact us by telephone toll-free in all parts of Victoria by
calling 1800 136 089 or (03) 9641 1444. If your questions are complex, we encourage you
to email to: info@workcover.vic.gov.au

WorkCover Advisory Service
GPO Box 4306
Melbourne VIC 3001


How to make a complaint with us...


I know this is for Victoria website, the NSW one is http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Please get something done ASAP. This kind of thing makes me so mad:mad:

Good luck!

[Tam-I-Am]

Okay, just found this link online:

http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/QuickLinks/IncidentNotification/Default.htm

There are links on this page to tell you what incidents to report and how to do so - it says
"Incidents that present a risk of health and safety at your workplace (ie exposure to certain substances) - notify workcover within 7 days using the online form or call 13 10 50"

The link to the online form is on the page of the link that I gave above.

[reAllytee]

Sorry but this has almost made me cry :(
My dad died of mesothelioma which is an abestos related cancer because of his working conditions.
This makes me so angry so so angry :mad:
Please make sure your hubby does something about this as this is soooo not on !
Many people have no idea about the realities of asbestos & i have to say before my dad was diagnosed i was one of them living in the dark. Like most people if we arent affected by it its doesnt matter ! Its a sad part of life that we sometimes tend to think like that.
Oh gosh how i could rant & rave about this !
I also hate watching home improvement shows where they act like its nothing also & use a thin paper face mask thinking that will save them !!!! ggrrrrr :mad:
I guess until its really brought out into the public as something we need to be fearful of which it has to a point but not enough as fas as im & many others are concerned.
Please please make sure he pushes the point on this its nasty stuff you have no idea.
:hugs:
I hope all works out.

[Rainbowbrite]

OK well a new development. I called workcover & they are going to investigate due to the conditions of his job etc.

At about 11am, DH was welding away as he does when the air hose unscrewed itself, & flew around before hitting DH in the head with the metal piece that screwes into the machine :eek: Luckily he's ok, except for a pounding headache & he cant see properly (blurry/tilted). He went to a Dr & they said its just bruising. I'll be watching it & taking him to a different Dr if it doesnt get better.

I've told him to find another job NOW :mad: I cant cope with the stress of it all.

[jkate]

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: - you know we are here for all 3 of you

[iluvmeboyz]

my Mil is diagnosed with that to and we dont know yet what is happening to her but it was at a hospital she is working at

[elissas]

There are varying risk levels with asbestos depending on the condition, how it's treated etc.

If the company has brought in a licensed company (and you need a license to deal with asbestos and need to get a permit for each job), then they would most likely be dealing with it effectively and according to the level of risk.

I used to work for a company that did building maintenance, and more often than not the risk was quite low, even though some work might be required. As mentioned, once dealt with and painted then it is deemed to be safe according to standards.

What we often found too was that with buildings having been repaired, there were often sections that contained asbestos, and then others that just had AC sheeting. We used to get reports all the time that there was dust, or exposed asbestos, and in all cases it turned out to be the AC sheeting, and not the asbestos.

The best thing to do is to get it examined. But I wouldn't panic until you know for sure. There's a good chance that it's all ok. The laws are very very strict, and most employers (even the dodgiest ones), would not actively put their works at risk of exposure to asbestos. The repercussions are too great.