At least five workers at a West Australian lithium hydroxide plant are believed to be infected with Covid-19, with the first case detected last weekend, according txjmtzywo a union.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union said the outbreak at Albemarle’s Kemerton Lithium Hydroxide Processing Plant was first notified on Sunday, but there was still no site-wide communication or plan to make the worksite Covid-safe.
AMWU state secretary Steve McCartney said there were serious safety concerns for about 600 workers, with most of them yet to receive a decent response from their boss.
“Workers are fearful that they might contract the virus and take it home to their families,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“They are being driven to site on crowded buses from accommodation, there has been no visible increase in cleaning and no instigation of split shifts or staggered breaks.
“Some contractors are telling their employees some information, and others have been completely mum.
“They all need to work with unions onsite and health and safety representatives to get this right.”
Mr McCartney said employers had been complaining about skills shortages but had done nothing to plan ahead to keep their current workers safe.
“They should be required to have Covid plans ready to go ahead of an outbreak, and not be scrambling when it’s already happened,” he said.
‘They can’t complain that the borders are closed when they’ve got no plan themselves.”
NCA NewsWire is seeking comment from Albermarle.
On Tuesday, WA Health said seven cases were linked to the growing Bunbury cluster, with six of them either work colleagues or household contacts.
The other was a casual contact of a previous case who was infectious in the community.
“The source remains under investigation by the WA Health contact and trace team,” a statement read.
“This cluster is expected to grow in coming days.”
