
Issue No 26		13 August 1999

News

Ceiling Dust a Deadly Cocktail

By Liam Phelan

Roof tilers have been warned not to work on roofs affected by Sydney's hail storm until all harmful ceiling dust has been safely removed.

A recent study revealed dangerously high lead levels in all ceilings in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Some ceilings returned levels as high as 20,000 parts per million (ppm). Levels above 2,000ppm are considered a high risk.

Ceiling dust can be a deadly mix of cadmium, arsenic, asbestos, pesticides and biological contaminants.

According to a letter by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon: "Residents and workers in 'Tarptown' are not generally aware of the risks."

Insurance companies have agreed to pay for ceilings to be vacuumed before roofing work starts, according to CFMEU roofing organiser Malcolm French.

"If workers get covered in dust it can be very harmful. We're saying don't start fixing a roof until all the ceiling dust has been safely removed."

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Issue 26 contents

Republic: Looking Forward
With the Republic referendum threatening to run off the rails, supporters of an Australian Head of State need to reclaim the debate from the lawyers.

Interview: Chatting With Kate
Workers Onlineďż˝s first ever Net night was held in the Yap chatroom this week. Labor IT spokeswoman Kate Lundy stepped up to the plate to talk Politics in a Wired World.

Unions: Simply the Best!
A major international study has ranked Australian seafarers the world's best.

Technology: Unions Log In to Online Yap
A Conference on Unions and Information Technology for the Australasian Region will be held in Melbourne: November 15-17.

History: Edmund Who?
John Passant lifts the veil on Our first Prime Minister, a bloke called Barton.

International: Turkish Miners' Leader Murdered
Semsi Denizer, President of the Turkish miners' union Genel Maden-Is, was shot dead outside his home last Friday evening.

Labour Review: What's New at the Organising Centre
Read the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's resource for students and activists.

Review: Working Class Boys
silverchair might have a new sound, but theyďż˝re part of a rich Australian music tradition.

» Workers to Star in Second Wave Rally

» Oakdale Injustice: Six Weeks Is All It Takes

» Chook War Widens - Woman Who Walked Wants Job Back

» Rural Council Workers Push to Quit ALP

» Push for Action on Millennium Leave Bug

» Pay Equity Inquiry Sidelined

» NRMA Candidates Address Union Concerns

» Ceiling Dust a Deadly Cocktail

» Sex Discrimination Head Warns Against Complacency

» DIR Launches Indigenous Employment Unit

» "Big Drum Up" For East Timor

» Eric Lee Public Forum

» STOP PRESS: Fire Bans Lifted But Dispute Not Over

» Guest Report

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Piers Watch

» Piers Fans Fires

» Some Views Of Einstein

» Group Homes Sell-Off Fears

» Privatisation Of Prince Of Wales Hospital Maintenance Department

» Call for Wage Freeze Action

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