A HAMILTON HILL resident claims WA Housing department workers removed asbestos-lined eaves from her house without her knowledge, while she sat inside with her mother.

Housing denies the accusation, saying the contractor informed Venadene Lee the eaves contained asbestos and that the necessary steps were taken to seal the window and door area while the family sat inside.

“The worker turned up without any prior notification and said he was there to do some maintenance work, but he didn’t inform me that it involved removing material with asbestos in it,” Ms Lee says.

“My mother was inside and they even opened the door at one point to plug in a power tool.

• Marie Thorne and Catherine Porter support Venadene Lee and daughter Medina outside their Hamilton Hill home. Photo by Matthew Dwyer

“It was very unprofessional.”

Housing manager Greg Cash says he is satisfied the works were completed safely and in compliance with the rules.

He says the contractor was initially going to just leave a calling card, but Ms Lee told him to go ahead.

“A routine inspection of this property had found paint covering asbestos containing material on the front eaves was bubbling, and the housing authority arranged for the eaves to be removed and replaced,” Mr Cash says. “The contractor attempted to contact Ms Lee a number of times, but was not successful. The contractor advised Ms Lee the front door would need to be closed during set-up and removal of the eaves.

“The contractor also sealed the windows and door area as a precaution.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK