The construction union has launched a scathing attack on workplace safety regulators after an exemption was granted allowing asbestos-containing materials to be used in fire doors at a major new university campus in Perth.
Exemption Sparks Outrage Over Worker Safety
The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) has condemned a decision by WorkSafe to issue an exemption for asbestos in fire doors at the new Edith Cowan University (ECU) City Campus in Perth. The exemption, which the union claims was granted without proper consultation, permits the use of materials containing chrysotile (white) asbestos in specific door assemblies.
According to the union, the exemption was signed by WorkSafe on February 20, 2024. It applies to a component known as an 'intumescent pad' within certain fire-rated doors. The CFMEU argues this decision directly contradicts the long-standing national ban on the use of asbestos, which came into effect in Australia in December 2003.
Mick Buchan, the CFMEU's WA state secretary, expressed fury at the move. He stated the union was never consulted and only became aware of the exemption after it was formally issued. "This is a shocking decision that puts profits before people's lives," Buchan said.
A Dangerous Precedent for Australian Construction
The union's primary concern is that this exemption sets a dangerous precedent, potentially opening the door for the wider use of banned asbestos products in other construction projects across Australia. They fear it undermines decades of hard-fought progress in eliminating the deadly substance from workplaces.
Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, have a long latency period and are responsible for thousands of deaths in Australia. The CFMEU emphasised that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, and any use of the material poses an unacceptable risk to construction workers, maintenance staff, and future building occupants.
The $853 million ECU City Campus is a flagship project for Perth, located in the heart of the city. The union is now demanding that WorkSafe immediately revoke the exemption and ensure all materials used on the site are asbestos-free. They have also called for greater transparency in the exemption process to prevent similar decisions being made without industry and worker representation.
Regulatory Response and Ongoing Concerns
While WorkSafe has defended the exemption as being granted under strict conditions for a specific, limited application, the CFMEU remains unconvinced. The union argues that safe, alternative materials are readily available and should be mandated for use instead.
The controversy has thrown a spotlight on the processes within WorkSafe for granting such exemptions. Critics are questioning how a material banned for over two decades due to its proven lethal effects can be legally reintroduced into any new building project, regardless of the purported controls.
This incident raises significant questions about the ongoing management of asbestos risks in Australia's built environment and the robustness of regulations designed to protect public health. The CFMEU has vowed to continue its campaign against the exemption, warning that worker safety must never be compromised for convenience or cost.
