A union working on a $200 million renovation at the world-famous Sydney Opera House has prompted a work stoppage from electricians from the Electrical Trades Union (ETU). The ban includes about 25 electricians involved in electrical services on the iconic building.
The union claims employees were exposed to asbestos fibers while working on a service duct.
“The contractor Downer failed to notify our members for approximately five days that asbestos had been detected and confirmed at that site,” ETU’s Justin Page said.
The union wants a full risk assessment, as well as training for all workers to make sure that they are aware of how to deal with the risk of exposure to asbestos.
“The union takes asbestos safety extremely seriously, given medical research has confirmed that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, with even a single fiber capable of causing deadly cancer,” Page said. “It is alarming that on a major NSW Government-funded project we have seen such disregard for appropriate safety standards, putting workers at serious risk.”
The New South Wales Government used funds for the renovation after the sale of the state’s electricity assets. This is the most expansive update of the Opera House since it opened in 1973.