The danger of asbestos exposure to Telstra workers rolling out the National Broadband Network in Goulburn, New South Wales, will be reviewed before they are able to continue working in Telstra pits. A Telstra worker was spotted on Friday working in pits in Goulburn however was wearing all the appropriate protective clothing.
A badly damaged pit which may be contaminated with asbestos requires urgent attention and repairs as it is located on a pedestrian footbridge and could be putting the community at risk. Asbestos exposure is a major health concern in Australia as it can lead to people contracting asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Telstra has confirmed they are taking all the necessary safety measures to ensure the risk of asbestos exposure is kept to a minimum. The pits which contain asbestos are understood to be underground therefore as long as the work around them does not disturb the asbestos, it is hoped they remain safe and pose no health risk to the public.
All Telstra staff are required to follow strict asbestos handling and management procedures while working in the pits. These safety precautions are extremely important as Australia has one of the highest rates of asbestos related diseases in the world and the number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Australia and asbestosis in Australia is expected to rise.
In the past, there have been many asbestos compensation claims in Australia on behalf of former Telstra workers.
