Killer Company

Killer Company: James Hardie Exposed is a 2009 Australian book by journalist Matt Peacock.

Killer Company
First edition cover
AuthorMatt Peacock
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
SubjectJames Hardie Industries use of asbestos
GenreNon-fiction
PublisherABC Books
Publication date
2009
Media typePrint, e-book
ISBN978-0733325809

Overview

The book documents how the use of harmful asbestos fibre in building materials produced by James Hardie Industries "led to the deaths of thousands of workers and customers, who were never informed of the dangers".[1] Working with asbestos products, such as "fibro", resulted in medical abnormalities, such as asbestosis. The book opens with the story of Bernie Banton, former James Hardie employee, who suffered from asbestos-induced fibrosis and later died.[1]

According to Peacock, James Hardie Industries circumvented the rules and regulations designed to protect the community from serious health hazards.[1] Peacock states that "Hardie embarked on a cold, calculated strategy to maximise profits, minimise compensation and conceal the culprits".[2]

Awards and legacy

Killer Company was a finalist for the Walkley non-fiction book of the year in 2009.[1] Devil's Dust, a docudrama based on Killer Company, was released in 2012, with Ewen Leslie portraying Peacock.[3]

References
  1. Angela Welsh. Review: Killer Company Archived 2011-02-21 at the Wayback Machine The Walkley Foundation, 27 October 2009.
  2. Matt Peacock. Australia's silent killer: James Hardie Archived 2011-02-18 at the Wayback Machine Evatt Foundation.
  3. Tim Elliott (8 November 2012). "Devil is in the detail". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2016.


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