Quoted from http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/24/2935568.htm

Worker wins asbestos-linked compensation claim

By Megan Lewis

Posted Thu Jun 24, 2010 8:24am AEST

 

A central Queensland man has made a successful claim against his former employer’s insurer after being diagnosed with terminal asbestos-linked cancer.

Rockhampton resident Ian Hutcheon, 74, says he was exposed to asbestos fibre during the four years he worked at the former Rockhampton power station in the 1960s.

 

He was diagnosed with mesothelioma last month and has been awarded a six-figure sum as a result of his WorkCover claim.

Mr Hutcheon says he is worried about the health of others who worked at the facility.

 

“Occasionally a steam line would blow and even the workers that worked on the asbestos would hammer the asbestos and It would flake off,” he said.

“So you had all these fibres floating around in the area so they themselves would have been subjected to it.”

 

Mr Hutcheon’s solicitor, Roger Singh, says it was not the first time he has acted on behalf of a worker at the now defunct facility.

“The purpose of making public comment today is to highlight the dangers asbestos poses,” he said.

 

“Although the Rockhampton power station is no longer in existence this is a deadly legacy it’s left behind.

“We still see asbestos in buildings, business, home environments and schools.”