MEMBER for Orange Andrew Gee says Orange residents should not be concerned about the removal of asbestos from a worksite in Summer Street after he received assurances from WorkCover NSW the demolition contractor followed protocol.
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Mr Gee said the Central West Community Union Alliance’s Joe Maric had told him material containing asbestos may not have been correctly removed during the demolition of a building at the Summer Centre, prompting him to contact Finance and Services Minister Dominic Perrottet, the minister responsible for WorkCover, to clarify the situation.
The minister’s office advised him WorkCover was notified by a licensed asbestos removalist that bonded asbestos would be removed from the former retail site.
“Following enquiries with the demolition contractor, WorkCover was advised that work to demolish and remove building material containing asbestos had not commenced and that no asbestos-containing material had been demolished or removed from the site,” Mr Gee said.
“WorkCover was satisfied with the work, health and safety systems in place to manage the safe removal of asbestos-containing material from the site.”
Mr Gee said following further enquiries about the site, WorkCover contacted the demolition contractor again, who advised the asbestos had been removed from the site prior to the demolition of the remainder of the building.
Mr Gee said he was assured a WorkCover inspector visited the worksite and was satisfied that appropriate work, health and safety systems were in place to manage the safe demolition of the building.
He said WorkCover had also received a copy of the tip receipt for the asbestos-containing material that was removed from the site and a clearance inspection of the site had been conducted by an occupational hygienist and WorkCover had requested a copy of the clearance certificate.
“Based on what the minister’s office has reported to me, I am satisfied that WorkCover has acted properly and appropriately in this matter,” Mr Gee said.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au