A UNION president says Telstra’s contracting work in Mandurah is “the best in the state”, after he inspected pits in the area for asbestos.
Communications Electrical Plumbing Union (WA) president John O’Donnell said he was on the lookout for contracting “cowboys” still working in Mandurah, after asbestos was found near a Telstra pit in December.
Pieces of the deadly substance “the size of a fist” were found near the conduit pit on France Street, which Telstra’s contractors were re-vamping for the NBN rollout.
Mr O’Donnell said he feared malpractice was still going on after he found evidence of it at Victoria Park and East Fremantle sites this week, but said he was impressed with the safety standards in Mandurah.
“The contractors working on the Telstra pits here, from what I’ve seen, are the best in the state,” he said.
“They’re actually going above and beyond what needs to be done.
“Other places I’ve visited have been a shambles.”
Mr O’Donnell said all health and safety procedures were followed and asbestos found in pits was handled and disposed of correctly, leaving no risk to residents.
He said he thought Telstra had tightened health and safety regulations since the allegations in December.
“To be honest, I would say the reason it’s looking so good here is because of what happened late last year, I think they’ve had to get their act together around here.”
On Tuesday, June 4, following an emergency meeting with Federal heads and union bosses, Telstra chief David Thodey confirmed all work on Telstra pits banned, pending the results of a nation-wide audit into its health and safety practices.
He said the company was setting up a national asbestos exposure register, for anyone who suspects they may have been in contact with the deadly substance.
“As we announced last week, Telstra is taking strong actions in the field, including reviewing processes so our employees, contractors and the public are given confidence that asbestos is being handled with care and safety in mind,” he said.
Mr O’Donnell said although Mandurah looked safe, CEPU intended to hold Telstra to their word.
“We will not allow anyone to work on remediation without the correct certification,” he said.
“Telstra are saying they’ll accept liability claims, but we want to see proof of an established system.
“We are going to get every worker that’s worked in Telstra and NBN and make sure they are all placed on that national register, as well as members of the public.”
