Asbestos has put another stop to Australian advances. The National Broadband Network (NBN), a government owned company, has had to halt their progress towards a nationwide fiber installation due to the presence of asbestos. With a massive plan to include 93% of the nation, NBN set about connecting the country through fiber-optic technology. Only 7% would be left with other forms of internet and digital connectivity.
The plan included use of existing telegraph poles and underground conduits. About 25% of the new fiber would be hung from poles while the large majority would be buried in an existing underground infrastructure of ditches. However, asbestos was found to be present in the cement and building materials of included ditches and conduits.
Switching its primary focus from technology to safety, NBN administrators are now considering the best way to move forward. Exposing asbestos would threaten safety and health for workers and the public. Asbestos is known to cause severe respiratory conditions. Rare cancer mesothelioma is most associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is characterized by malignant tumors in the lung ling and lining of other abdominal cavities. There are available mesothelioma treatments, but no known cure.
Costs associates with asbestos removal are high. Trained professionals with appropriate protective gear must test all potentially dangerous materials and them remove it without exposing the fibers. In this case, complexity had been added by trouble differentiating between asbestos and non-asbestos cement.
NBN spokeswoman Rhonda Griffin sounds optimistic. She said the “…costs of asbestos management has been factored in to our business case. Where asbestos is identified or suspected, NBN Co contracts the services of fully qualified asbestos experts to remove any aged asbestos-containing infrastructure and dispose of it as per all safeguards required under regulation. Independent hygienists are engaged to monitor any removal.”
Asbestos removal contractors are anticipating a busy season as this unexpected NBN situation redirects funds and efforts. Director of Sydney based asbestos removal company Alkene, Bill Snell said, “It’s going to be a major job actually.” He expects his firm and others to be busy.
There is a responsibility to the public in this case, which causes concern for many. A nationwide effort to connect a population may easily turn into a nationwide nightmare. With health and safety on the line, not all are so confident of NBN’s, and the government’s, ability to handle it.
Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union national secretary Peter Tighe said, “It’s obviously something we’ve got to be very careful about. You can’t just send somebody out and say, ‘Pull cables through’.”
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 at 8:04 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
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