Geraldine Gonsalvez, front, with fellow residents Bev Jenner, Kaylene and Callum Dunkley, and Kevin and Patsy Horne are upset over an unexpected asbestos removal in Dandenong this week and say they should have been notified.
By Shaun Inguanzo
RESIDENTS of a Dandenong street are incensed over an unexpected asbestos removal they fear has posed a threat to their safety.
WorkSafe, which regulates asbestos removals, said it was investigating last Monday’s asbestos removal from a MacPherson Street house because it had no record the owner had notified WorkSafe as required by law.
Neighbours to the house that is being demolished are angry they were also not notified.
They are now calling for reform to asbestos removal laws that would force builders to give prior notice to residents.
The City of Greater Dandenong council told Star that a private building surveyor had issued a permit to demolish the MacPherson Street house.
“The demolition contractor is required to notify WorkSafe of the intended removal of the asbestos who will then ensure regulations are being adhered to,” the statement said.
But WorkSafe spokesman Michael Birt said WorkSafe did not have a record of the removal and would now investigate the incident to find out why.
Addressing residents’ concerns, Mr Birt said under current legislation builders only had a legal obligation to notify businesses of removals for occupational health and safety reasons.
“However, removalists have clear duties under Occupational Health and Safety law not to affect others as a result of their work,” he said.
“That is, they are required to do the job safely in a way that does not affect the health or safety of their workforce, or anyone else including non-employees.”
Neighbour Bev Jenner, 74, said she was upset that she and her husband knew nothing of the removal until 7am that day when a tradesman knocked on her door.
“He said to me he was removing asbestos from the house next door,” she said.
“He said to me ‘now make sure you don’t open your windows today, and you haven’t got any washing on the line’.
“So my husband and I didn’t venture outside, and I didn’t even know whether he had a permit to remove it or not.”
Neighbour and former Greater Dandenong councillor Geraldine Gonsalvez said she was also unaware of the removal until she walked past it.
She said her initial fears were for school children and elderly residents passing by the house unaware of the removal until reaching the house.
The property’s fence had a security tape and various signs that morning alerting passers-by to the asbestos removal.
Ms Jenner said she was worried about asbestos dust and would consider having the area near her washing line tested.
Both women called for the State Government to amend laws governing asbestos removal so residents were required to be informed, giving them more time to prepare for a nearby removal.
“I think if businesses have it, why shouldn’t residents?” Ms Jenner asked.
Ms Gonsalvez said: “I am concerned we are all living there in our own premises and yet no one has been notified.
“I am also concerned about the law. Why should a company have the right to be notified and not residents?”
Asbestos was once a popular building material for its durability, but is no longer mined or used in Australia after exposure to its dust particles was linked to causing severe and often fatal health conditions such as asbestosis.
