01:07 am, Saturday 25 August, 2007

Source: ABC

Project manager for the Bunbury Regional Prison expansion Tony Budrovich says there will not be a separate investigation into an asbestos scare at the construction site.

About 50 workers were evacuated from the site last Friday, when material resembling asbestos was found buried on the site.

The Construction, Forestr,y Mining and Energy Union says it wants WorkSafe to investigate the matter.

Mr Budrovich says the construction company did not know about the latest hazard, although some asbestos material was found on site six months ago.

“That situation was asbestos cement in a ceiling in another part of the prison that our contractor was working on and as soon as they were aware of the situation they had it tested,” he said.

“It proved to be asbestos cement and they actually removed it and replaced it in accord with all the guidelines.”

The department says it expects workers to be back on site in about a week.

OHS NEWS - TIP Asbestos Removal Safe Work Procedure

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know