Document gbQ1OxR13VNYe9ymed3gxMDqJ

PRESS ENQUIRY mesothelioma I^ t>5/ In 1948 Dr. Saint in Port Hedland gave'warnings to people working at Wittehoom abput asbestosis but he implied in his advice that asbestos" was not "particulariyjinjurious `because of the body reaction prevention to crystalise\\into the.lungs. Under the existing Health Regulations in Western Australia all miners had to be x-rayed and have a medical ` examination every . ... *.v . two years and each man when x-rayed received ^certificate# if fit, stating that his health^was such that hetcouldiwork in or about a mine. \ fi>j ..V ' . v/ i'- j-'-...'; '- f'p-i; A.`- The real concern'"-ra in the lat:ee 19500*,5S:',DrTH Jim 'McNulty;78et .himself Jup' to research the problem of;,dust ..hazards; .v^-In-.a ; Court*case'between 1954-1956 (check) Dr* McNulty- gave! evidence'onfbeKalf of A.B.A. that dust was not an industrial disadvantagerf?iS';WiVtenbom'mine# V- and that the conditions there did ;hot warrantee *'8pecial`'`allowance. Subsequently McNulty \conducted>'considerable research T:->-- *.y - vt into dust hazards and was encouraging any persons'found^to have deterioration of health!!to'vciaim'pensions* About 1960 a number of other-doctor^in Western Australia and elsewhere took up the question of ' dustjhazards with "particular reference to asbestosis.V - However to the best-of Mr. Thomas9-recall it was the diseases of silicosis and asbestosis that weretbeihg watched and r ' .. he cannot recall the term mesothelioma being used* 'Civ ' -. . , All work carried out; in the mine aruijmili.: at wittenoom was under strict Government control and ther mine*workedfunder close Government and union inspections.The:mill .was. controlled by the same inspection as covered the mine and!a considerable amount of money was spent in dust'collection plant ..in the mill. If the mine did not accord with Government standards it could be shut down at any- time. A.B.A. enforced the Mining Act .and the controls under it to the limit. ,, - vi? . #. -- .h ' /j *\ +i. - -r %