Australia: Allegations that an official for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union threw hazardous asbestos waste on top of a table in front of two managers

Allegations of misuse of asbestos hazardous waste

Australia – An investigation is being conducted over allegations that an official for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union threw hazardous asbestos waste on top of a table in front of two managers at the Australian Technical College construction site.

It was heard that the incident happened on February 6 on the site of construction company JA Dodd in Sunshine North. Attempts by reporters to get the company’s reaction to the claim have been faced with refusal from the management. However, a spokesperson for WorkSafe announced that the organization has received a formal complaint against JA Dodd describing a similar situation and that the proper authorities are looking into it.

The Australian Building Construction, an entity that watches over and polices the industry, confirmed that it has knowledge of the investigation in question also but would not provide any additional information.

The CFMEU official being charged with the dumping is Shaun Reardon, the union’s organizer. The investigation will look into the claim that Mr. Reardon poured asbestos onto the table where a JA Dodd manager and foreman were sitting. It is unconfirmed where the asbestos came from, but it is rumored that officials believe that Mr. Reardon had removed it from an area at the site which had been quarantined.

Mr. Reardon said the company has taken the story and blown it out of proportion in an attempt to take away attention from its poor record of handling asbestos. He reported workers and local residents have unknowingly been exposed to asbestos by the company, which he claims does not uphold its responsibility to take the proper actions to contain airborne fibers and prevent them from spreading.

According to Mr. Reardon, the true story was that he wrapped three or four pieces of asbestos about the size of a person’s palm in plastic sheets and placed it carefully in front of the managers when he came to them to discuss the matter.

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