49 asbestos illness cases in 22 years at Ausgrid, claims ETU

The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) claims to have evidence that shows Ausgrid has documented 49 cases of asbestos-related illness in 22 years.

The ETU also claims that documents show the energy distributor has suspended asbestos removal programs in electricity substations because it is reluctant to pay overtime. These substations have reportedly been shown to contain dangerous friable asbestos.

“Documents released today show that workers employed at Ausgrid have been exposed to dangerous levels of friable asbestos and that there are dire consequences,” said ETU NSW secretary Steve Butler.

“At least two people are developing either mesothelioma or asbestosis at Ausgrid each year and the number is likely to rise.”

Butler called for the urgent development of an asbestos removal plan at an industry roundtable.

“If two power workers died from electrocution at a company each year, it would be shut down. If the government won’t take immediate action, we will have no choice but to ban work in these substations,” Butler said.