The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that it is seeking comments on a draft for Part 2 of a final risk evaluation that concludes that asbestos presents an
FDA eyes changes to asbestos testing for cosmetics
Cosmetics manufacturers in the United States are likely going to be required to change their testing processes for asbestos. According to a white paper released by the Food and Drug
New FDA paper could improve safety around talc and asbestos
Cosmetics manufacturers in the United States are likely going to be required to change their testing processes for asbestos. According to a white paper released by the Food and Drug
Half of NSW residents don’t know how to safely dispose of asbestos, one in four have used kerbside bins
Research conducted by the New South Wales branch of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has uncovered alarming statistics when it comes to the public’s understanding of asbestos safety. A survey
SafeWork SA releases compliance campaign results, focus on respirator fit testing
SafeWork South Australia has released their annual report on licensed asbestos removal practices following compliance audits throughout the year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the largest area of non-compliance during the auditing period
$300,000 fine for illegal dumping in Darwin Harbour
A Darwin property developer has been fined $300,000 for contravening pollution abatement notices deliberately. The fines relate to dumping 15,000 tonnes of demolition waste and other contaminants into Darwin Harbour.
SafeWork NSW cracking down on respirable crystalline silica risks
Inspectors from SafeWork NSW have confirmed they are beginning the new year with more frequent site visits to discuss the risks associated with silica dust in the workplace. SafeWork NSW
Asbestos discovered at popular Perth beach
Perth beachgoers have been warned to take care after asbestos was uncovered in dunes at Hillary’s dog beach last week. The area is being attended to, but it is unclear
Another Mr Fluffy home uncovered in Canberra
Another home in Canberra has been found to contain Mr Fluffy loose-fill asbestos insulation, the second in just a few months. The home is located in the south of the
Asbestos contamination concerns over factory fire north of Nelson, NZ
After a suspicious building fire in Motueka, New Zealand, authorities are undertaking testing to determine the severity of asbestos contamination of nearby areas, and will remediate the site as required.
Professor dying from asbestos-suspected mesothelioma pleads for legal reform
An accomplished professor has pleaded with Aussie renovators to “wake up” to the hidden dangers of asbestos exposure. Gillian North was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2019. Her prognosis means she
Warnings for clean up workers after Kentucky tornadoes over asbestos risks
The significant levels of waste left behind after tornadoes in Kentucky last week have been earmarked as potentially “damaging to human health” to those involved in clean up efforts or
Bingo waste facility accused of exposing workers to asbestos by AWU
According to the Australian Workers Union, workers at the Bingo recycling facility in Eastern Creek have been routinely handling asbestos-containing materials without the appropriate personal protective equipment. A newly lodged
Asbestos uncovered at brick processing facility after residents raise concerns over dust levels
A brick recycling company in the western suburbs of Adelaide has confirmed that asbestos was found at the property, and EPA and local council have confirmed that they are involved.
Contractor to service community service over breaching WHS obligations at asbestos site
A British contractor will be forced to complete 100 hours of community service and ten days of rehabilitation activity after breaching workplace safety regulations regarding asbestos and working at heights.
Regional SA Council to spend $10M after asbestos found in fill provided to local residents
The removal of rubble containing asbestos materials from a council-owned waste transfer station, which had been used at up to 150 private properties, will cost local ratepayers more than $10
Foreman fined €12,500, construction company fined €100,000 over asbestos risks
An Irish foreman has been fined €12,500 for failing to notify two of his staff of the presence of asbestos while they were undertaking work in Dublin in 2016. Dennis
State of Montana owed $95M by insurer to pay for asbestos-related claims
The Montana Supreme Court has largely upheld an order that requires a former insurer to pay the state $98 million for asbestos-related injury claims. The state of Montana held the
Canberra family discover house contains loose-fill asbestos insulation after purchasing for $1.8M
One Canberra family has been dealt heartbreaking news, after they purchased what they hoped would be their “forever home”, only to discover the home was part of the Mr Fluffy
Australia leading the world in mesothelioma cure research
A Sydney mechanic, devastated by deadly diagnoses amongst his friends, has thrown himself into finding a cure for mesothelioma. Training as a mechanic in his younger years, he headed to
New frontline as silicosis crisis broadens
An Australian tunnel worker has spoken out about the industry’s looming health crisis. Shane, who spoke to The Project, has lifted the lid on the prevalence of silicosis amongst tunnelling workers in
Mullumbimby Hospital asbestos concerns add $1.5 million to project costs
The Mullumbimby Hospital redevelopment has been slowed by the presence of asbestos, with the Council project facing significant delays despite it beginning back in January of 2019. It was expected
Last sittings of Victorian Parliament used to strengthen silica-related WHS legislation
Victorian politicians are working through the last sittings of Parliament for the year and prioritising the health and safety of workers as they seek to strengthen workplace health and safety
Failure to produce records for EPA investigation results in fines and costs in Western Sydney
A Western Sydney man has appeared in the Parramatta Local Court and pleaded guilty to failing to provide information to the Environmental Protection Authority’s NSW branch, as the authority investigates
Mornington Peninsula residents oppose expansion of quarry over silicosis fears
Residents of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula are pushing back against a proposed quarry at Arthur’s Seat over fears of silica exposure. The company behind the proposed expansion, Hillview Quarries, has applied
Australian-first silicosis prevention tech rolled out in trials in Sydney
The first Australian trials of new tech aimed at detecting dangerous levels of respirable crystalline silica have begun in Sydney this month. Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson explained that
Asbestos company director disqualified over alleged ‘phoenixing’
A Western Australian company director has been disqualified from managing corporations for five years after a series of managerial failures that saw illegal ‘phoenixing’ of companies that owed millions of
Unions and firefighters clash over asbestos safety protocol in NZ
A review conducted into the firefighting at a significant warehouse blaze in South Auckland revealed that asbestos was found up to a kilometre away from the site. Fire and Emergency
“Genuine is Best” campaign aims to counter asbestos in counterfeit car parts
It’s not well-known that legendary movie star and car racing enthusiast Steve McQueen died from mesothelioma. He was only 50 when he died from pleural mesothelioma, which he believes resulted
Thousands of tons of illegally dumped waste uncovered, results in prison sentence
Huge amounts of asbestos-containing waste were dumped illegally and deliberately, a Welsh court has heard. Dennis Connor and his waste firm, DBC Site Services, had paid two landowners to take
Almost one in three DIY enthusiasts admit to disposing of asbestos in household bins
Australians have taken to renovation with vim during lockdowns and border restrictions, often unwittingly exposing themselves and others to asbestos as they opt for “DIY” jobs. A study of DIY
Surf Coast & Geelong region on notice as regulators crack down on WHS & asbestos risks
The building boom across Victoria’s surf coast and the Greater Geelong area has seen regulators step up compliance checks with a focus on asbestos safety. Home improvement throughout the region
Tasmania records first silicosis-related WHS prosecution
A stonemasonry business in Hobart has pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety legislation after workers were exposed to the risk of silicosis. Heritage Stone Pty Ltd has pleaded
Teachers could be next wave of asbestos victims in the UK as mesothelioma rates rise
Teachers and children at schools throughout the United Kingdom are potentially at risk of developing asbestos exposure-related illnesses, according to a campaigner for asbestos safety. Charles Pickles, who spoke in
Remediation to begin at the site of the world’s largest asbestos factory
The site of the world’s largest asbestos factory will finally undergo complete remediation after it recently changed hands. The land in Rochdale, a town in Greater Manchester, once housed the
Victoria introduces national-first licensing for engineered stone industry operators
Victoria is leading the nation in the fight against silica exposure for workers, today announcing that it is introducing a licensing scheme for businesses working with engineered stone and silica
Last buildings in asbestos-riddled Wittenoom to be demolished, residents evicted
The asbestos-riddled former mining town of Wittenoom is set to remove the remaining properties in an attempt by the Western Australian Government to clear the town site and dissuade visitors.
Council forced to undertake remediation of a newly purchased lot after asbestos confirmed
Shoalhaven City Council has had to undertake remediation work at a recently purchased block of land after it was asbestos was confirmed at the site. The site, considered to be
Border Force under pressure as reports reveal low testing rates but high numbers of asbestos-positive results
Australian unions and anti-asbestos campaigners alike are calling for greater testing of imports into Australia after several high-profile examples of asbestos making it past border controls. Since the start of
National Asbestos Awareness Week starts soon
National Asbestos Awareness Week runs from the 22 – 28 of November this year, and a new campaign from the national safety regulator is encouraging Australians to Think Twice About
Fleurieu Pensinsula sees 129 properties affected by asbestos-contaminated fill
The Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide is grappling with a rise in asbestos contamination, with 129 properties registering with the local waste authority as containing asbestos-contaminated material. The Executive Officer
British company fined after unskilled labourers tasked with asbestos ceiling removal
A British construction company has been fined more than £16,000 after it was found that workers had been exposed to asbestos during the removal of false ceiling tiles during a
Canadian province reveals one-third of workplace deaths related to asbestos exposure
Canadian’s Manitoba province is launching a new campaign, targeted at reducing asbestos-related diseases and death after it was revealed the province’s number one workplace killer is asbestos. The statistic that
Bega Valley residents involve EPA over site containing asbestos
Bega Valley Shire Council has held a meeting after residents raised concerns about a disused site containing asbestos that has yet to be remediated, despite the infrastructure at the site
Building company fined after exposing subcontractors to asbestos
A Queensland company will pay close to $20,000 in fines after subcontractors employed by the business were sent to a site in Gympie that contained asbestos, and they were not
Boral asbestos contamination spreads as manufacturing facility closed for decontamination
The CFMEU has confirmed that workers at Boral Australia’s Pinkenba factory have been stood down for two weeks over an asbestos scare that also shut down the Brisbane Queens Wharf
Illegal dumping on the rise in Sydney as Rhodes residents raise concerns
Asbestos left strewn at a bus shelter in Sydney’s inner west has drawn the ire of locals as the council fights with an uptick in illegal dumping. Local residents have
Historic asbestos exposure without PPE caused death of labourer, coroner says
A lack of appropriate asbestos-specific protective equipment in the workplace has led to the death of a Derbyshire man, an inquest has been told. Mr Reginald Coleman died in March
EPA encouraging Melbourne residents to report suspicious activity as illegal asbestos dumping rates rise
The Victorian branch of the Environmental Protection Authority and Hume City Council have urged local residents to be on alert and to report dumpers who have been unloading contaminated soil
World-first silicosis testing kit developed
Scientists in India have developed what is believed to be the world’s first rapid testing kit for silicosis. The kit, developed by a team of scientists at the National Institute