Coke and Cancer at BHP (From Stains on a White Collar: Fourteen Studies in Corporate Crime or Corporate Harm, P 191-207, 1989, Peter Grabosky and Adam Sutton, eds. -- See NCJ-122651)

• NCJ Number: 122663
• Author(s): J Braithwaite; B Fisse
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Federation Press (Distributed by Gaunt)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The health hazards of the coke ovens at the BHP steelmaking plant in Port Kembla, Australia were addressed only after 2 years of extensive lobbying by the labor unions, widespread media coverage of the issues, and governmental inquiries and discussions.

Abstract

The carcinogenic emissions from the coke ovens were the subject of a series of industrial disputes between 1979 and 1981. During that period the Federated Ironworkers and the Amalgamated Metalworkers accused BHP of putting profits ahead of the safety of 1,000 coke oven workers by allowing intolerable levels of emissions of dangerous gases. A variety of engineering and other measures have improved the situation somewhat at relatively low cost to the company, probably due to a combination of threatened strikes and the effects of adverse publicity on governmental authorities. However, emissions are above internationally recognized standards, and the government is reluctant to impose standards that would require massive investments. Providing financial incentives for the investments needed to solve the problem might be a more effective approach. 16 reference notes.