SafeWork is reminding Australians about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the risks to health from asbestos as National Asbestos Awareness week begins next week, running from 21-27 November. They are focusing on educating Australians about doing things the right way when it comes to asbestos disposal.
This theme this year is aimed at reminding Australians that they should ‘think twice about asbestos’, while also targeting dwellers and tradies to do things the right way by ensuring that the way they dispose of asbestos not only safely, but legally.
The public safety campaign reminds Australians that asbestos is present in almost one in three homes around the country as well as throughout public and commercial buildings. Asbestos exposure, despite the material being banned since 2003 in Australia, kills 4,000 people a year, which is approximately four times the annual road toll.
Martyn Campbell, Executive Director of SafeWork SA, explained that Asbestos Awareness Week was a reminder that it is time to commit to the elimination of asbestos-related diseases in Australia.
‘Australia still has one of the highest death rates of asbestos-related diseases per capita in the world,’ he said.
‘We have a responsibility to protect the long-term future health of… residents. Regulators, government departments, industry, workers, organisations and the community at large will all need to work together to make the state safe from asbestos.’
Mr Campbell also noted that disposing of asbestos correctly is paramount for the safety of the community and environment.
‘Illegally dumped asbestos puts an unnecessary strain on public resources; resources that could be better spent on other vital community services,’ he said.