NBN contract workers

[Chucaro]

This is a worry, yesterday was the asbestos and just now a fatality

[isuzurover]

The project is how large, and involves how many contractors all over Australia???

The death is unfortunate, however with a project this large there will always be issues.

[Chucaro]

I agree Ben that there are about 3,650 contractors working on the network construction but for some to know be aware of the asbestos issue is a gross error by Telstra.
This is a problem, quote:
The Electrical Trades Union's David Mier says he has visited 13 sites around Hobart, with some next to asbestos pits.
He says only a handful of about 100 subcontractors at the sites had received mandatory asbestos safety training.
Was the union aware of this problem before all this issues come to light?

[Hall]

From what I know of asbestos. You don`t normally die for a very long time after coming into contact with it. There is normally several years of slow decline in health. I`d be slightly suspicious of any sudden deaths by asbestos connected to the nbn. There has been cases of no symptoms till some twenty five years later.
Cheers Hall

[FeatherWeightDriver]

A sad day indeed, it sounds like the person killed was not working for NBN Co and the accident was caused by a young bloke who was working (subbie?) for NBN Co

Man crushed by truck at NBN work site - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

As for the asbestos, it will be very interesting to hear who could have / should have / breached their duty of care.

[bob10]

Unfortunately , mate, it comes down to cost. For a subbie to carry the cost of asbestos removal it takes too much off the profit margin to make it worthwhile. So they take shortcuts. The big companies sub contract out these jobs for that very reason, let the subbies carry the costs. Every sub contracter in Australia knows the rules about asbestos,or at least knows the danger of asbestos, so don't kid yourself. It comes down to the profit margin, that is why Ford walked away. Bob

[Chucaro]

From what I know of asbestos. You don`t normally die for a very long time after coming into contact with it. There is normally several years of slow decline in health. I`d be slightly suspicious of any sudden deaths by asbestos connected to the nbn. There has been cases of no symptoms till some twenty five years later.
Cheers Hall

The problem can be due to increased sensitivity to lung diseases like pneumonia which can be fatal in a person with asbestosis.
In any case not one regardless of his/her age would like to be affected with asbestosis just because it is slow to killing you.

[Chucaro]

Unfortunately , mate, it comes down to cost. For a subbie to carry the cost of asbestos removal it takes too much off the profit margin to make it worthwhile. So they take shortcuts. The big companies sub contract out these jobs for that very reason, let the subbies carry the costs. Every sub contracter in Australia knows the rules about asbestos,or at least knows the danger of asbestos, so don't kid yourself. It comes down to the profit margin, that is why Ford walked away. Bob

Bob, I heard (I do not know if it is true) that the workers at the Penrith site were unable to speak English and were communicating with their foreman in other language.
Assuming that they are new Australians without knowledge of English, how they can be informed about asbestos, it dangers and rules?

[BathurstTom]

The removal/handling of the asbestos is Telstra's responsibility so it isn't the fault of the NBN corp or that of the subbies. Nor is the cost a factor to the subbies. Another great beatup by the media companies which are against the competition that the NBN will give them.

Telstra to employ 200 specialists to tackle asbestos problem | Business Spectator


Tom.

[Chucaro]

The removal/handling of the asbestos is Telstra's responsibility so it isn't the fault of the NBN corp or that of the subbies. Nor is the cost a factor to the subbies. Another great beatup by the media companies which are against the competition that the NBN will give them.

Telstra to employ 200 specialists to tackle asbestos problem | Business Spectator


Tom.

Tom, yes, it is Telstra responsibility or fault for not supervise the contractors and for that reason now, quote, Up to 200 specialists will be employed by Telstra in order to mitigate any fears about the risk of asbestos exposure during the NBN rollout.
Having said that I was under the impression that the subcontractors have to have some type of license and knowledge about safety aspects in relation to their work.
Perhaps Telstra overlooked to check if these subcontracting companies have licenses and insurance against negligence?