Cross River Rail: Asbestos safety guidelines ignored at Albert Street site

Workers at a Brisbane CBD Cross River Rail construction site have been sprung carrying out demolition work while ignoring asbestos-removal guidelines that were drawn up in order to keep themselves and the public safe.

WORKERS at Albert Street’s Cross River Rail site have been sprung doing demolition work while ignoring asbestos-removal guidelines drawn up to keep them and the public safe.

The Courier-Mail has seen two improvement notices issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland finding contraventions, including not wetting down a site while removing 200 lineal metres of wall.

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The most recent notice on Tuesday found workers’ shoes weren’t being decontaminated.

Construction work at the corner of Mary and Albert st, Brisbane. Wednesday November 4, 2019. (AAP image, John Gass)

Another, from November 22, found workers weren’t wearing appropriate personal protection equipment and appropriate training hadn’t been provided to a worker.

“I formed a reasonable belief that workers were removing bitumen membrane from concrete parapet which I reasonably believe was contaminated with an asbestos-containing material known as neurolite,” the improvement notice said.

“... The asbestos removal control plan requires your workers to wet the area, wear type 5 disposable overalls and P2 half face respirators,” it says.

A Workplace Health and Safety spokesman said yesterday the office was continuing to monitor asbestos removal to ensure public safety but had no concerns involving public exposure to asbestos.

CFMEU Cross River Rail rally in the city last week.

The contractor and Cross River Rail Delivery Authority (CRRDA) - in charge of delivering the $5.4 billion project - have been in the sights of the powerful CFMEU, who are angry over safety and enterprise bargaining issues.

Last week, the union marched on state Parliament and threatened to pull their support of the Labor party if key demands weren’t met.

CFMEU national president Jade Ingham said there were major safety issues at the site, particularly around asbestos.

“That’s what you get when you engage cheap and nasty contractors,” he said.

“Unfortunately this Government was seduced by a cheap price .. corners have to be cut to accommodate that cheap price.”

He said it was a disgrace.

“I don’t think anyone in this state would accept that especially when their taxes are funding this.”

Construction work at the corner of Mary and Albert St, Brisbane. Wednesday November 4, 2019. (AAP image, John Gass)

A CRRDA spokeswoman said issues that were subject to the improvement notices had been immediately rectified and air quality monitoring, including for asbestos, had not identified any non-compliances.

“Therefore, there has been no risk posed our workers or to the general public,” she said.

“The project is committed to the safety of our workers and the public, and will continue to work with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland throughout our activities.”

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones said the Government expected every contractor to comply with the state’s strict workplace health and safety laws.