The Australian Workers' Union will be sending their National OHS Director, Dr. Yossi Berger, to Port Macquarie to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the contaminated worksite at the Pacific Highway upgrade just south of Port Macquarie.

 

Following Wednesday's reports of 5 road workers receiving medical treatment for nausea - after being exposed to strange clay-like material at the site, the AWU welcomed the State Government's announcement of an independent inquiry into the incident.

 

Newcastle Branch Secretary Richard Downie said the AWU was extremely concerned for any workers who may have been or still could be exposed to potentially lethal or carcinogenic materials and many serious questions needed to be answered.

 

"Any worksite where our members may have been exposed to hazardous chemicals is of grave concern and raises serious questions," Richard Downie said.

 

"Why was the presence of this potentially lethal material not considered prior the upgrade of the highway and why was there not a stringent risk management plan in place?

 

"These are questions that will need to be answered by the State Government's independent inquiry and we welcome their announcement," Mr Downie said.

 

Further testing of the contaminated soil at the roadworks site is set to continue.

 

"Our union will be meeting with the company and WorkCover once the final results have been released to ensure that the results confirm there is no potential risk to road workers or the wider community," Richard Downie said.