The discovery of asbestos-ridden lift brake pads has sparked an urgent safety response at wind farms across the country.
WorkSafe Victoria and renewable energy company Goldwind Australia, a subsidiary of Chinese firm Goldwind Science and Technology Co. Ltd, said white asbestos was found in brake pads used in wind turbine lifts at its facilities.
The brake pads were supplied by 3S Industry, a major Chinese-based supplier to Australia.
3S Industry is one of a few brake pad suppliers to Australia, meaning a significant percentage of the country’s wind turbines could be affected.
Interstate regulators have united to form a coordinated safety response.
The importation of asbestos, or goods containing asbestos, has been illegal in Australia since 2003.
Goldwind Australia wind farm locationsCrookwell, New South Wales (Gullen Rang Wind and Solar Farm)Glenn Innes, New South Wales (White Rock Wind Farm)Goulburn, New South Wales (BIala Wind Farm)Yass, New South Wales (Coppabella Wind Farm)Gilgandra Shire, New South Wales (Muilpilling Wind FarmMoorabool, Victoria (Moorabool Wind Farm)Beaufort and Skipton, Victoria (Stockyard Hill Wind Farm)Woodhouse, Victoria (Mortons Lane Wind Farm)Clarke Creek, Queensland (Clarke Creek Wind Farm)Central Highlands, Tasmania (Cattle Hill Wind Farm)Kathleen Valley, Western Australia (Kathleen Valley Wind Farm)Leinster, Western Australia (Agnew Hybrid Renewable Microgrid and Bellevue Gold Project)Esperance, Western Australia (Esperance Renewables Hub)Plumridge Lakes, Western Australia (Tropicana Power Station)Jundee, Western Australia (Jundee Mine Power Project)Laverton, Western Australia (Mt Weld Power Station)’Comprehensive’ testing program
The contaminated brake pads were confirmed to be in use at Goldwind’s Cattle Hill Wind Farm in Tasmania.
A Goldwind spokesperson said regulatory authorities were immediately informed and access restricted.
“All staff access to the affected turbines with 3S lifts has been restricted across the entire Goldwind Australia fleet,” the spokesperson said.
“A comprehensive material and air testing program is underway to check for asbestos in other spare brake pads and in wind turbines.”
Goldwind wind farms contribute more than 1.8 gigawatts of renewable energy nationally, or about 5 per cent of Australia’s annual total renewable energy generation.
The company is also planning two more projects at Moulamein and the Gilgandra Shire in New South Wales.
A company spokesperson said access to the turbines had since been restricted to approved asbestos removal specialists, and that initial reports indicated the health risk to the public was low.
Goldwind said it planned to engage specialist asbestos removalists across its wind farm locations.
It said it had also notified other energy providers supplied by 3S Industry.
3S Industry has been contacted for comment.
The Clarke Creek wind farm during its construction phase. (Supplied: Squadron Energy)
WorkSafe said it was working with the product supplier as well as other interstate and national regulators to determine associated risks and control measures.
It said WorkSafe inspectors would continue monitoring the issue to determine whether further action was required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.