Workers being exposed to asbestos on the Pluto LNG project in the Pilbara have been denied by Woodside.

According to the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, about eight workers had been exposed to dangerously high levels of asbestos. It was present in the packaging material that was imported from New Zealand.

Independent analysis done of imported grinding gaskets stated that there were dangerously high levels of brown and white asbestos present in the material, the AMWU said.

Woodside in a written note has stated that the toxic substance was identified in some containers and workers on the site did not handle these containers.

McCartney is quoted in the report as stating, “Really, the question has got to be posed to Woodside about their duty of care. It’s bad enough that they’re importing all these modules and potentially reducing the nation’s skills base but when they bring them in here and they start to impact on the life expectancy of their workers, then it is a real problem.”