Asbestos exposure risk for WA Alcoa refinery workers

ALCOA has been directed to improve its asbestos management procedures after workers were potentially exposed to it at two refineries in Western Australia.

Workers Karl Morris (front) and Paul Hancock welding inside a Precepitation tank at Alcoa Pinjarra Refinery in WA.

ALCOA has been directed to improve its asbestos management procedures after workers were potentially exposed to it at two refineries in Western Australia.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union said independent testing had confirmed the presence of white asbestos in metal support beams in the press building of the Pinjarra refinery.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum said it had also investigated the incident at Alcoa’s Kwinana refinery, where seven workers were potentially exposed to asbestos while removing the roof on a tank.

The department has made several directives to the company to improve its asbestos management procedures, including undertaking a formal review of the format of its asbestos register to ensure information is readily available to all personnel.

“An occupational physician has met with workers and provided information about asbestos contamination and potential exposure risk,” state mining engineer Andrew Chaplyn said.

“Alcoa has also undertaken a health assessment of the workers.”

Alcoa director of health and chief medical officer Michael Donoghue said the Pinjarra workers were exposed when an angle grinder was used to remove small areas of coating from steel columns in preparation to install light brackets.

Dr Donoghue said the risk posed was considered extremely low due to the limited amount of the material, the type of asbestos contained in the material and the short duration of the task.

“The coating is known to contain white asbestos material and does not present a risk of exposure unless it is disrupted through mechanical means,” the company said.

“Once reported, work immediately ceased and steps were taken for a licensed asbestos removal contractor to sample the material and inspect the work area.”

Alcoa said it had co-operated fully with the department.

Originally published as Asbestos exposure risk for WA Alcoa refinery workers