An urgent safety alert has been issued at wind farms across Australia after asbestos was discovered in Chinese-made wind turbines.
The deadly material was first found in brake pads used in wind turbine tower lifts at the Goldwind Cattle Hill wind farm in central Tasmania.
WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW confirmed on Friday that white asbestos was also found at a number of wind farm sites.
The state regulators, along with renewable energy company Goldwind Australia, launched an investigation into the issue.
Goldwind, which is a subsidiary of Chinese firm Goldwind Science and Technology, claimed the brake pads were supplied by 3S Industry.
3S Industry is a major Chinese-based supplier and one of a few brake pad suppliers in Australia.
The supplier has provided brake pads to numerous wind farms across the country and has been involved in several projects, including White Rock, Gullen Range and Biala in NSW, Clarke Creek in Queensland, and Moorabool and Stockyard Hill in Victoria.
The discovery has sparked fears the problem could be more widespread, with the hazardous material potentially affecting turbines throughout the country.
White asbestos was discovered in brake pads used in wind turbine tower lifts at the Goldwind Cattle Hill wind farm in central Tasmania (stock image)
The brake pads are part of the turbine’s internal mechanism, with the level of risk of asbestos exposure to workers and contractors unclear.
There is also no suggestion the community has been exposed to the asbestos or that the environment has been contaminated.
Upon discovery, a Goldwind spokesperson explained that access to the wind turbines was restricted and the company immediately notified authorities.
The company added it would engage specialist asbestos removalists and that it had also notified other energy providers who were supplied by 3S Industry.
Goldwind wind farms are responsible for about five per cent of Australia’s yearly renewable energy generation.
WorkSafe confirmed it was working with interstate and national regulators and the product supplier to determine control measures.
Further monitoring is set to continue, with WorkSafe inspectors to determine whether more action is needed under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Gullen Range and Biala wind farms, run by Beijing Energy International, in NSW’s Southern Tablelands, have also been affected.
The discovery has sparked fears the problem could be more widespread, with state and national regulators launching an investigation to determine affected locations (pictured, wind turbines seen at a wind farm in Tasmania)
‘BJEI Australia is aware that the presence of asbestos has been identified in spare brake pads used on some of the internal service lifting devices, which are located inside our wind turbines at Biala Wind Farm,’ the company said.
‘Since being advised of this issue, our focus has been on the health and safety of our staff, contractors and the community; and ensuring that all relevant authorities are informed and investigations and testing undertaken.
‘We have remained in constant communication with Goldwind to understand the steps they have taken to ensure the relevant regulatory authorities have the information, access and support they need to undertake a thorough investigation and assessment.
‘While initial indications suggest that the risks posed are extremely low, the health and safety of our staff, contractors and wider community remain our ultimate focus and priority.’
Since 2003, Australia imposed a blanket ban on the importation of goods containing asbestos into the country.
