Fears have arisen over the presence of asbestos in electricity meter boards in older Australian homes. It has been estimated that around two million homes built before 1983 contain asbestos around their electricity meter boards. The danger associated with this asbestos is that once disturbed it can become deadly. Dust is easily disturbed when drilling old metres and installing new electricity meters.
Last week Endeavour Energy was first to raise concern of this issue after reports from workers revealed asbestos around electric meters in homes they were working on. Endeavor Energy responded by issuing a ‘hazard alert’ to their staff, warning them to wear safety marks when working on these older homes.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) in New South Wales spoke out by saying the advice given by Endeavour Energy was inadequate and they failed to notify the households of these asbestos fears. The ETU advised all of their members not to work on any electricity boards which could potentially contain asbestos. This advice was extended further in New South Wales and the ACT to workers from companies such as Ausgrid and AGL.
Lack of knowledge can lead people to contracting asbestos related diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. The ETU is calling for the state government to step in and take action and with mesothelioma expected to peak within the next decade hopefully the government answers these calls. Many electrical works have made asbestos compensation claims in Australia, including mesothelioma compensation claims in Australia, following their exposure during their working life leading to their contraction of an asbestos condition.
