Sue Bull, Geelong

At Geelong’s Basell plant, in the Shell refinery complex, construction workers were forced off the job on March 28 by fears, which were later confirmed, of a legionella outbreak and chemical leaks. One worker went to the hospital, concerned about the effects of a suspected sulfur leak.

The workers, employed by construction company Sheddon, downed tools after their safety representatives deemed the conditions unsafe. The Basell site manager, David Stannard, confirmed that a sample from an onsite cooling tower had tested positive for legionella bacteria, but claimed that the levels were not life threatening. The workers decided not to return to work until March 30.

Geelong Trades Hall secretary Tim Gooden attempted to convene a meeting of all relevant parties to address 11 health and safety issues raised by the workers and their representatives. These included the legionella outbreak and gas leaks, asbestos removal procedures, amenities, site evacuation procedures and intimidation of union representatives.

However on March 29 the employers rushed the case to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), alleging that the workers had undertaken “illegal industrial action”. Despite federal government representatives’ attempt to intervene, commissioner Holmes did not accept the employer’s claim and refused to order the workers back to work.

On the basis of a WorkSafe inspection that declared the site safe, and after meeting with their union and safety representatives on the morning of March 30, the workers agreed to return to work. The outstanding safety breaches will be addressed under the supervision of the AIRC.

From Green Left Weekly, April 5, 2006.
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