Safeguarding Against Asbestos: Awareness Essential

2023 marks 20 years since asbestos was prohibited in Australia, but, as we know, the effects of asbestos are often felt most in the years and even decades following being exposed to its fibers.

Asbestos can be found in more than 3000 building materials and is still found in 1 in 3 homes today. Asbestos becomes a health risk when fibers are suspended in the air and breathed into the lungs. Breathing in those asbestos fibers can result in a range of diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Australia has one of the highest incidence rates of mesothelioma in the world. This cancer has no cure and, with 700-800 Australian’s diagnosed every year, it’s evident that there is still work to be done.

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month, and with this month every year, we are reminded of the crucial risks associated with asbestos exposure and the steps you need to continue to take to protect yourselves and your workers.

As a young apprentice fitter and machinist, Brian Healy was exposed to asbestos in the workplace, leading to his diagnosis of mesothelioma.

“We were told to be careful of it, but no explanation on why you should be careful of it.”

Watch the video here. Brian’s lived experience is a reminder of the dangerous consequences of working unsafely with asbestos.

What’s next? As a part of National Asbestos Awareness month, WorkSafe will be conducting a safety blitz, focusing on the safe removal of asbestos for the next two weeks. Inspectors will be pinpointing some of the most unassuming places you may find asbestos in the average Australian home or demolition site. Inspectors can help you identify where asbestos might be lurking, and they can also help with tips on how to manage it once found.

Now is the perfect time to review your OHS procedures and ensure you’re meeting your obligations. Print or download this checklist to make sure you’re inspection ready: For more ways to protect yourself and your workers, print our asbestos general requirements checklist.

For more information, click here.