The AMWU says workers at the massive Sino Iron Ore project near Karratha have unknowingly been exposed to unsafe levels of asbestos.

AMWU State Secretary, Steve McCartney, said that workers digging trenches on site have found rocks that match pictures shown to workers on recent safety training courses as being asbestos laden.

Information has also been provided to the union that asbestos ridden dirt may have used as landfill at the mine site and around the site’s camp area.

Union officials from all unions on site have tried to raise the serious concerns with the company who are refusing to allow the unions access to talk to the workers and investigate the safety issues.

The company, working with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have been dealing with the concerns by issuing threats to the workforce and has refused to acknowledge a 2007 report leaked to the AMWU showing high levels of asbestos readings on site.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union has contacted Worksafe to have the matter investigated but has been told that no Worksafe inspector is available in the north-west for the next month.

“Bernie Banton would roll over in his grave, god rest him, at the thought of more Australian workers lives being put at risk because of exposure to asbestos,” said Mr McCartney.

“The Minister for Mines needs to get Worksafe to halt work at the mine and order an immediate investigation to ensure the lives of workers are not put at further risk by exposure to deadly asbestos material.”

“This issue again highlights the AMWU’s concerns that safety is not taken seriously on WA mine sites.”

Mr McCartney said all workers should have medical checks to ensure they don’t end up with asbestos related illnesses in the future and be registered with the Asbestos Diseases Society.