Australia’s major provider of cable and mobile phone service, Telstra, has come under fire as the company works to prepare underground pipes and pits currently used by copper phone lines to house its fiber-optic cables, making way for the new National Broadband Network (NBN). According to extensive media reports, contractors working in the asbestos-filled pits have been accused of improper handling of the material.

Telstra reported today that it has now employed 200 specialists to look into the poor asbestos management by its contractors, many of whom have been accused of improper asbestos abatement that could cause workers and even the general public to suffer asbestos exposure.

“Telstra retains ownership of the pit and pipe infrastructure and retains the primary responsibility for the remediation of its infrastructure to make it fit for NBN practice,” NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley told a parliamentary hearing on Thursday. NBN is leasing the pits from Telstra for the new network.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard agreed that Telstra needs to see that the problems are addressed, citing the fact that many workers are now concerned about asbestos exposure. “All safety procedures must be adhered to,” she added.

“Telstra has acknowledged that the handling of the material has been insufficient, hasn’t followed procedure and requirements,” Communications Minister Stephen Conroy stressed.

Issues were cited in at least three locations – Ballarat, Hobart, and South Australia – and officials fear that there are more pit sites that may have been affected. Some referred to the situation as an “asbestos minefield”. As a matter of fact, Conroy says he’s been made aware of several other incidents outside of those that have already been made public.

Australia’s News 9 notes that the Australia Post has even stopped delivering mail in some locales, mainly streets near contaminated pits, fearing that their employees may be exposed to hazardous asbestos dust.

Local news media outlets report that The Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) has asked that Telstra create a fund for workers affected by asbestos, and the company has already set up a hotline for residents concerned about asbestos remediation work in their area. Asbestos exposure can cause myriad respiratory diseases, including mesothelioma cancer.

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