By
Andrew Stackpool
Serving and former aviation technical staff, students from all
three Services and non-Defence civilian staff may have come into
contact with asbestos found in Metroliner training aircraft at
the Royal Australian Air Force School of Technical Trades (RAAFSTT)
in Wagga.
A report into the risk of potential exposure to the asbestos has
found that during the period since their acquisition in April,
1999, to their quarantine in February this year, the only personnel
at potential risk are those who worked in close proximity to the
Metroliners during maintenance training activities in two general
work zones.
These were the inboard underwing zone and the engine/undercarriage
zone. People walking through the hangar or working there without
contact with the Metroliners were at no appreciable risk.
It says that while the potential exposure is assessed as “real
and finite”, it is at the low end of the spectrum compared to
industry norms for asbestos hazards.
The asbestos was detected last February during a routine maintenance
inspection of the three Metroliner aircraft used as training aids
at RAAFSTT.
The three aircraft were acquired as non-flying training aids in
1999. Safety assessments based on legislation and available knowledge
at that time did not identify any material hazards.
As soon as the discovery was made, the aircraft were sealed and
subject matter experts conducted tests to determine potential
levels of exposure and assess the risk from airborne asbestos
fibres.
Although their level of exposure to airborne asbestos fibres is
likely to be very low, all current and former aviation technical
staff and trainees who have served at RAAFSTT Wagga since 1999
are encouraged to contact their local Defence Medical Centre or
the Defence Asbestos Information Hotline on 1800 000 655 for more
information.
