Members of the United Kingdom Parliament have written to Altrad, one of the largest asbestos manufacturers, calling for the parent company to make a £10m donation towards mesothelioma research “for
Brisbane school closed over asbestos discovery
A historic state school in Brisbane has been closed after asbestos was discovered during excavation works over the weekend as part of construction work at the site. The asbestos was
Asbestos warning as Cyclone Gabrielle batters New Zealand
Asbestos experts are warning residents of cyclone-affected New Zealand to be mindful of the impacts of asbestos damage, and that there are certain precautions to take when returning to cyclone-affected
UK to introduce new laws in wake of toddler’s death from mould and damp exposure
The United Kingdom has introduced new legislation which will require social housing landlords to investigate and correct issues of damp and mould in properties within strict time frames. The amendments
Brazilian authorities sink decommissioned vessel full of asbestos
Brazilian authorities recently sank a decommissioned ship off the country’s coast, which the Asbestos Diseases Awareness Organisation explained highlights the “impossible task” of asbestos risk management. “Asbestos, a known carcinogen,
Spanish benchtop company director received suspended sentence over worker exposure
A Spanish business owner has been convicted and sentenced in court, after he admitted that he concealed the dangers of his company’s product, a quartz agglomerate. It was alleged in
Scottish company at odds with subcontractors over alleged asbestos exposure
Workers on a series of Scottish construction company sites have demanded that a series of investigations into the company be reopened, claiming asbestos exposure. The business, Springfield Properties, paid a
Albanese Gov invests $3.9 with aim of elimination silicosis
The Albanese Labor Government has announced that it is taking steps to reduce increasing rates of occupational respiratory disease in Australia in a bid to eliminate silicosis across the country.
Asbestos contaminants found in flood levy fill
It has been revealed that asbestos-containing material was found during the construction of crucial flood barriers in South Australia’s Riverland, but the public wasn’t warned or even made aware of
Historical claims of asbestos exposure from Kent cigarettes
Historical asbestos use is widely documented – in the 20th century, it was utilised in building materials, fire and heat protection, insulation products and various other settings, largely because it
Family business cordoned off after asbestos contamination
A family-run business in regional Queensland has seen their livelihood limited after their offices were accidentally covered in asbestos-containing material. The incident occured when a painting company adjacent to the
Dutch flower workers take legal action over asbestos exposure
According to a court judgment, employees of a Dutch flower auction company were allegedly exposed to asbestos for years. The employee’s tasks, which included general manual labour and drilling, saw
Safety reminder after high-pressure cleaner used on asbestos roof
SafeWork South Australia has confirmed it investigated an incident earlier this month where an asbestos contractor used a high-pressure water cleaner on a cement roof to prepare it for painting.
Unions increase pressure on UK Govt to remove asbestos from NHS buildings
The British Parliament is under pressure from various unions across the country after it was revealed that there are hundreds of buildings utilised by the National Health Service, or NHS,
Focus on correct PPE as silica exposure standards are updated
The prevalence of silica-dust-related illness in the Australian mining, manufacturing and construction industries is well-publicised, and support for bans on common silica-containing products is growing. Hundreds of thousands of Australian
Significant coastal swells reveal asbestos
Coastal erosion is a common cause of asbestos being revealed in Australia, with beaches, break walls or other coastal areas often housing the material. On Bribie Island in Queensland, the
Sunshine Coast beach closed over asbestos exposure
A section of a popular Sunshine Coast beach has been closed after asbestos was confirmed at the site last week. Golden Beach was closed, and licensed asbestos assessors were tasked
Fraudulent asbestos removalist fined more than $600,000
A South Australian demolition contractor who falsely claimed he had uncovered asbestos materials at clients’ properties has faced the state’s Supreme Court and been fined almost $650,000. John Goros, who
Asbestos removalist injured after falling through roof sheeting
An incident that resulted in injuries to a licensed asbestos removalist has prompted a warning from SafeWork SA, who explained that the worker was injured during asbestos removal work when
Company fined after asbestos inspector killed on the job
A Scottish asbestos surveyance firm has been fined £80,000 following the death of a worker who was killed on the job. Christopher Earley was carrying out an asbestos inspection at
India becomes the largest asbestos producer in the world
India has recently overtaken Russia and Brazil as the largest producer of asbestos globally, and those who work in the country’s asbestos factories are paying the price. The country is
River Murray homes and ‘river shacks’ focus of asbestos safety after flooding
Residents in affected areas of the River Murray, those who own holiday homes in the area, or those supporting the flood response, are urged by safety authorities to be aware
“Statistical significance” of mesothelioma rates in female teachers in the UK
Trade unions in the United Kingdom have confirmed that they are working with one of the country’s leading cancer experts on a study that examines asbestos exposure in female teachers
Brisbane man says three-month long coma due to mould exposure
A Brisbane man who spent three months in a coma, which he claims is the result of a significant mould infestation in his home, has confirmed he is planning legal
Chinese car manufacturer preps re-entry to Australia, a decade after asbestos recall
A Chinese car manufacturer, which was the subject of a recall of more than 12,000 vehicles almost a decade ago due to asbestos fears, has had its re-entry into the
Melbourne Innovation Centre butts heads with council over asbestos exposure at site
Following several businesses being locked out of a council-run not-for-profit facility in Melbourne after an asbestos scare, tenants have been denied access to return to the site despite a court
Abandoned asbestos-contaminated town hit by bushfire
The asbestos-contaminated town of Wittenoom in Western Australia has been razed after an out-of-control bushfire destroyed many of the remaining buildings just after Christmas last year. The abandoned town, which
Northern Territory EPA crackdown reveals ‘far worse than expected’ levels of dumping
A blitz by the Environmental Protection Authority in the Northern Territory has revealed a swathe of illegal dumps, including several asbestos and chemical waste dumps, with inspectors revealing the extent
Asbestos uncovered at Little Manly Beach
Upgrades to the foreshore facilities at Little Manly Beach which had been set back several months due to the unearthing of bones during excavation work, have now been further delayed
NY prisoners required to complete asbestos abatement work during pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was widely reported that incarcerated people in New York were working to make hand sanitiser and coffins. Criminal justice advocates in the state noted that
American woman awarded $52M in damages over mesothelioma diagnosis
A Californian woman who has mesothelioma has won a legal battle against cosmetics manufacturer Avon, and a forklift manufacturing company after almost a year. Ms Chapman filed suit, along with
Melbourne Innovation Centre businesses operators locked out the week before Christmas
Business owners at the Melbourne Innovation Centre (MIC) in Alphington, in the city’s inner north, have been told that their businesses are a no-go zone less than a fortnight from
Historic timber bill gutted by fire, now poses asbestos threat
A historic timber mill in Western Australia, which was recently gutted by fire, has drawn the attention of local residents and health and safety experts after it was gutted by
Man exposed as a child to asbestos wins mesothelioma lawsuit
Workplace exposure to asbestos, particularly of an historic nature, is well documented and largely considered the most prevalent form of asbestos exposure globally. However, there is increasing evidence of malignant
Scottish stonemason awarded £3.5 million for silicosis after workplace exposure
A Scottish stonemason has secured one of the largest payouts in the country’s history after being awarded £3.5 million for silicosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from workplace negligence. Gordon
Western Sydney development potentially fast tracked at former James Hardie site
Camellia-Rosehill in Western Sydney, along the banks of the Parramatta River, is the site of a proposed new housing development as part of a list of ten areas for new
Silicosis rates on the rise in US
The rising rates of silicosis in Australia have been well documented in the media recently, and now awareness of the disease is spreading, with American workers taking to the press
Coroner in UK confirms toddler died due to prolonged mould exposure
A British coroner has noted the death of a two-year-old from prolonged mould should be a “defining moment” for the country’s housing sector. Awaab Ishak died in 2020 as a
Home renovators warned about asbestos risks as mesothelioma rates rise
Television host Cherie Barber has warned homeowners and DIY renovators about the risk of asbestos exposure after revealing that she was once exposed to the potentially deadly fibres early on
Wet weather sees mould outbreaks increase throughout Melbourne
Wet weather has caused havoc across NSW and Queensland in recent months, with flooding affecting numerous communities and increased humidity affecting an estimated one-third of residents by way of mould
WorkSafe Victoria records uptick in asbestos prosecutions
WorkSafe Victoria remains committed to cracking down on legislative requirements regarding asbestos safety in the workplace, as the safety organisation records its eighth prosecution for asbestos mismanagement since 2019, with
Federal Government introduces new legislation to address silicosis risks
The Federal Government has introduced new legislation to address silicosis, led by Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke, which will prevent employers from taking out insurance against workers’ deaths. Announcing the
SA set to introduce industrial manslaughter legislation
The South Australian government has released its first draft of legislation to make industrial manslaughter a criminal offence in the state, which will bring it in line with states which
EU likely to enact new asbestos exposure limitations to law
European Union lawmakers are under pressure to enact new legislation to end the threat that asbestos poses to workers in an unprecedented move. Generally, the European Commission puts forward proposals
Aussie mining safety companies join calls for greater silica dust controls
Australian mining safety companies are joining calls for greater protection of workers from the risks associated with exposure to silica dust. Dust suppression firm Global Road Technology, which has recently
Apartment builds in the spotlight as reports of mould outbreaks continue to rise
Apartment developments are the latest frontier in the fight against mould in residences, as a swathe of defective apartments reveals the extent of the hazard in what is being described
Asbestos awareness week highlights ‘number one work-related killer’
Several New Zealand organisations committed to reducing and eliminating asbestos exposure have called on tradespeople and businesses to do more to keep workers and the environment safe, as Asbestos Awareness
New calls for silicosis ban as CFMEU threatens to take action
The Australian government is facing further calls for a ban on engineered stone products, as the CFMEU announced that if the government refused to act on a nationwide ban, the
Clean up bill for illegally dumped asbestos tops $11M annually in Australia
Despite being banned for almost two decades, it is estimated that the legacy of asbestos in Australia remains an active risk, with more than 6,000 tonnes dumped illegally every year
Suspected asbestos exposure at AMP building refurbishment
According to a report by Michael West Media, construction workers at the AMP building have allegedly been exposed to asbestos during refurbishment works. The report states that approximately 30 workers