Three UK nationals have been jailed for running a fraudulent roof repair scheme. They posited false damage in the homes of elderly Aussies and falsely reported and conducted asbestos remediation
New crystalline silica regulations see extension of dry cutting ban, new safety standards
Crystalline silica is often contained in products like engineered stone, ceramic tiles, bricks, marble and concrete, and the risks associated with working with it can result in fatal lung diseases,
Mesothelioma rates increasing in women
Mesothelioma rates are increasing in women, according to a new report by the CDC. Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing materials and is often considered an
NSW EPA scraps new asbestos regulation changes
The New South Wales branch of the Environmental Protection Authority has decided against new safety regulations after concerning levels of asbestos were uncovered in landscaping products made from building waste.
Developer fights fine of $300K for dumping of hazardous materials with $18M clean up bill
The removal of a raft of hazardous materials, including contaminated soil and asbestos at the Darwin Harbour, could cost up to $18 million, according to a hearing in the Supreme
Suspension of asbestos removal license in SA over repeated safety breaches
Last week, SafeWork SA moved to cancel the class A asbestos removal license of a South Australian asbestos removalist and demolition contractor. According to SafeWork, the company has a history
Queensland unions fire back over changes to workers comp for dust disease sufferers
Queensland unions have voiced their concerns over the proposed changes to compensation payments, which would see the rights of terminally ill workers wound back and delays placed on lump-sum compensation
New mesothelioma treatment providing hope for UK patients
Patients with mesothelioma could expect better life expectancy and overall outcomes with the results of a new drug offering hope to millions of sufferers. The trial using the drug abemaciclib
$460,000 in fines for fraudulent and illegal disposal of asbestos material from Green Square site
The former director of a company, which was paid $4 million to remove asbestos from a Green Square development site, has been fined $460,000 over the illegal dumping of the
Company directors jailed, business fined £100K over “cutting corners” and falsifying records
A British asbestos management company has been fined after prosecution by the HSE, while two of its employees have been jailed for ‘failing to protect workers from asbestos exposure’ during
Chemical companies push back against proposed EPA ban on asbestos in the US
Many asbestos awareness advocates were pleased by the news of a proposed ban on asbestos in the United States, but numerous chemical industry titans continue to fight against the proposal.
Advice from SafeWork NSW on cleaning up in flood affected areas, for asbestos and mould
The New South Wales safety regulator has released a comprehensive guide to managing worker and employer safety during and after a natural disaster. With many parts of the state still
Link between silica exposure and black lung disease proven with new study
Exposure to silica dust appears to be the cause of a recent epidemic of black lung disease among coal miners in America’s Appalachia region, according to a new study. The
Trades unions go after Morrison over workplace health and safety ‘regression’
The Australian Council of Trades Unions has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of failing to take workplace health and safety seriously. According to the ACTU, the rate of serious workplace
Madrid’s Metro workers strike, rally over the death of colleagues from asbestos exposure
Workers for Madrid’s Metro system have rallied over the deaths of a number of employees due to asbestos-related illnesses. On Wednesday, dozens of workers from the Metro de Madrid rallied
South London estate ‘riddled’ with asbestos set to see remediation costs soar
One housing estate in South London has been so affected by asbestos that a resident revealed a plumber told him to be careful coming into contact with his ceiling lest
icare found to have underpaid workers diagnosed with dust diseases by as much as $39M
The New South Wales state insurer, icare, has knowingly underpaid state workers diagnosed with dust diseases. The underpayment is close to three times the size of the figure the insurer
Swiss businessman sentenced to prison over asbestos-related death
An Italian court has sentenced a Swiss businessman to 42 months in prison following the death of a worker at an asbestos company. The jury trial found Stephan Schmidheiny guilty
Three directors and company charged over alleged illegal waste dumping
The Environmental Protection Authority has charged a Melbourne company and three directors after allegedly dumping waste that had been contaminated with asbestos. Kyle Road Developments Pty Ltd and its three
New HBO Documentary focuses on asbestos in cosmetics in first episode
A new documentary on HBO Max, “Not So Pretty”, shines a light on the prevalence of talc in cosmetic products. It is the first documentary aimed at exposing the safety
$13 million spent on asbestos removal in Queensland schools
More than 200 Queensland state schools have had asbestos remediation works in the last financial year, with the state government spending more than $13 million on removing the hazardous material.
$20,000 in fines for PCBU who knowingly sent contractors to asbestos-contaminated worksite
A Canadian PCBY who sent more than a dozen workers into a job site that they knowlingly knew was contaminated with asbestos has been fined $20,000 and banned from operating
Corroded and damaged water pipes show ‘abundant evidence’ of asbestos fibres
Aging cement water pipes in New Zealand are eroding faster than expected, with many community members concerned about the presence of asbestos in drinking water as a result. A University
Queensland mine worker sues Fortescue, Rio Tinto & others for $3.2M over silicosis diagnosis
A Queensland mine worker has launched legal action against his former employers, many of whom are mining heavyweights, over his silicosis diagnosis. Che-Leon Anderson has commenced legal action against BMA,
Proposed site for new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital contaminated with asbestos and hazardous waste
The proposed location for the new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital has been found to be contaminated with friable asbestos and hazardous waste, including lead. The contamination of the site at the Bankstown
Traditional landowners call for complete remediation of Wittenoom – is it possible?
Is it possible to remediate all of Wittenoom? With the town formally closed as of last month, both experts and traditional land owners say that the site should be successfully
Indigenous Childcare Centre raises concerns over asbestos exposure
An Indigenous childcare centre has raised safety concerns after toxic fill was used at a construction site nearby. The Yappera Children’s Service Co-Operative in Thornbury is near the Sir Douglas
US EPA looks to ban chrysolite asbestos
The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States has moved to propose an outright ban on chrysolite asbestos, which is the most common form of it that is still available
Speak Up Save Lives: almost 1300 reports, 560 interventions recorded
SafeWork NSW’s app, ‘Speak Up Save Lives’ is working to make workplaces safer for all employees, with initial reports for an entire year showing 560 reports which triggered an intervention
Council-funded CCTV operation catches illegal asbestos dumping
An intricate surveillance operation has uncovered a plan to illegally dump asbestos waste next to wetlands in the north of Adelaide. Ronald Shaw of Reynella admitted to leaving the bag
Site of new quarantine facility in QLD contaminated with PFAS, asbestos
A contaminated site that houses one of Australia’s largest military barracks is continued to be marked by the Department of Defence as having “no known contamination”, despite documents obtained under
New quarry slated for Goulburn met by resistance over silica fears
A new quarry planned for development north of Goulburn has been met with fierce resistance from locals who are concerned about the potential health risks to local communities. Global Quarries
Asbestos contractor immediately suspended after SafeWork SA investigation
A South Australian asbestos removalist and demolition contractor has had their licence (Class A) suspended immediately following an investigation by SafeWork SA. SafeWork SA explained that the contractor was responsible
Asbestos-contaminated railway line remediation wraps in Montana
The Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that it is moving to end the mammoth cleanup task of asbestos along railroads in Montana, where long-term asbestos mining has resulted in hundreds
Heritage-listed homestead demolished over Mr Fluffy asbestos fill
A home in the nation’s capital, built in 1893, is the latest home to be demolished due to the presence of Mr Fluffy asbestos fill. The property, the heritage-listed “Deasland’
Uptick in mesothelioma following major historic natural disasters sees experts call for caution over flood clean up
Experts are warning flood-affected residents of New South Wales and Queensland to be mindful of asbestos exposure, and one family has shared their experience of losing their son to mesothelioma,
Demolition of final Wittenoom buildings & infrastructure to go ahead
The asbestos-contaminated town of Wittenoom is the subject of a bill that has just passed the Western Australian parliament, which will see the town closed and all remaining properties destroyed.
Illegal asbestos dumping costs WA worker $15,000
An asbestos disposal business employee has been fined in Western Australia after illegally dumping a load of asbestos on the side of a road. Rajwinder Singh, employed by Action Asbestos,
Prison sentence for illegal asbestos dumping
A man has been jailed for 15 months in the UK over illegal waste dumping of more than three and a half tonnes of waste, including asbestos materials. Mitchell Cooper
Asbestos manufacturer under fire for “playing down” risks
One of the United Kingdom’s largest asbestos manufacturers has been found to have withheld detail on the risks the material posed, while also “playing down” the dangers it holds, while
Owner of property leased to gym fined more than $35,000 over the use of pressure sprayers on roof
A property owner that authorised the use of pressures sprayers on the asbestos roof of one of its properties has been convicted and fined. An Environment, Resources and Development Court
Former mechanic wins $20M in compensation over historical asbestos exposure
A man from southern St. Louis County has successfully sued the Ford Motor Company over historical asbestos exposure, with USD 20 million in damages awarded. William Trokey, 76, launched proceedings
Suspended prison sentence for illegal storage of asbestos waste
A United Kingdom man who falsely claimed to be an asbestos disposal specialist has been handed a suspended prison sentence and may still face a proceeds of crime order. The
Bushfire cleanup hampered by asbestos contamination
The cleanup efforts across bushfire-affected communities in Western Australia have been hampered by asbestos contamination, with some property owners looking at costs of up to $250,000 to remove asbestos. In
Johnson & Johnson comments on asbestos testing on prisoners
Documents that had previously been sealed have uncovered that at one point, cosmetic giant Johnson & Johnson funded a study whereby prisoners in the United States were injected with asbestos.
Asbestos warning after flood damage from National Asbestos Awareness
The recent flooding in NSW and Queensland has seen authorities warn residents and business owners to prepare for the risk of potential asbestos dangers as the clean up begins. One
“Looked like ghosts”: evidence from asbestos-related coronial inquest
A dockworker and seaman gave a posthumous statement at a coronial inquest in Gloucester, UK, which included a statement that revealed the man and his workmates were covered in asbestos
Public school in Newcastle closed until clearance cert issued over asbestos contamination
A public school in Newcastle near to the recent Wickham wool store fire has been forced to close, according to the Department of Education, due to asbestos exposure from the
Asbestos exposure fears over issue-laden Tonga rescue mission
The issue-stricken Australian Defence Force humanitarian mission to Tonga has gone from bad to worse as personnel fear they may have been exposed to asbestos during the clean-up process. Defence