Verve workers exposed to asbestos

Verve Energy has today confirmed it has assigned alternative duties for about 100 employees at the Kwinana power station after confirming high asbestos levels at the plant.

The utility said the traces of asbestos were detected during regular monitoring, which was stepped up during the recent demolition of two boilers and the chimney stack of stage B at the plant.

"As a precaution, some employees have been assigned alternative duties while the extent and source of contamination is confirmed. The contaminated area is being environmentally cleaned and monitoring is continuing," Verve said.

"The Kwinana Power Station is continuing to operate. There is no threat to power supplies."

The power station was built in the 1970s, at time which Verve says asbestos was commonly used for insulation and "lagging" on fittings such as high pressure and high temperature piping.