Landfill discovery at Merriwa Community Hospital

Traces of asbestos material were detected in landfill within the Merriwa Multi Purpose Service construction site last week; however air samples taken, both outside the building and inside the health service indicate the air levels are safe. As a result, measures have been undertaken to quarantine the relevant area and no patients or staff have been at risk.

Hunter New England Health has worked in partnership with the Department of Commerce, HLA Envirosciences and construction management company Hansen Yuncken to undertake air and soil testing of the construction site, surrounding atmosphere and inside the hospital.

Acting Upper Hunter Cluster General Manager Debbie Jaggers said the removal of the material had been managed appropriately.
 
“Traces of asbestos were found within the excavation site. This area is not accessible by patients, staff, or members of the public, and the area has since been completely quarantined,” Ms Jaggers said.

Excavation work has temporarily ceased while testing is carried out.

During this time, there will be no interruptions to service or care provided at Merriwa Community Hospital. The removal will be undertaken safely and appropriately by licensed specialists,” Ms Jaggers said. 

“Air samples taken, both outside the building and inside the health service indicate the air levels are safe.

“Extensive independent testing results have shown airborne asbestos fibre levels comply with the required, stringent Worksafe Australia levels, however, air monitoring continues both internally and externally as a precautionary measure.

“Soil samples taken over the weekend have shown some traces of asbestos material in land fill around the construction site, and we will be working over the coming weeks to safely remove this material from the site,” Ms Jaggers said.

This small area of disturbed soil is currently under continual application of water sprinklers to prevent the spread of air-borne dirt particles. 

“We will recommence excavation work once we are confident the landfill is clear of asbestos material.

“Patient care and safety is our number one priority and we will not allow that safety to be compromised,” she said. 

It is thought the traces of asbestos in landfill date back to the construction of the original Merriwa Community Hospital in 1984.

Contact: Nicole Fuller

Phone: (02) 6767 7136