The chief executive of a small shire in Western Australia is calling on the state government to prioritise the rehabilitation of the land which major mining works have damaged. Peter
Unions call for greater border controls after asbestos contamination scare
Following an asbestos scare at Brisbane’s Queens Wharf construction site earlier this month, supplier USG Boral has drawn the ire of unions. Low levels of asbestos were discovered in certain
America sees uptick in mesothelioma from secondary asbestos exposure
Secondary exposure to asbestos has declined in the United States over recent decades, but the rates of malignant mesothelioma caused by secondary exposure have continued to rise. The increasing rates
Two separate incidents of high-pressure cleaners used on asbestos in QLD
The Queensland workplace safety regulator has revealed the details of two incidents in August where they suspect that asbestos was released into the nearby environment through high-pressure water spray equipment.
USA EPA agrees to new accountability measures
Asbestos safety campaigners in the United States have secured a significant victory as they continue to push for greater accountability for the country’s Environmental Protection Authority. The Asbestos Disease Awareness
$26.5M in damages for wrongful death suit after asbestos exposure
A group of lawyers has this week secured a wrongful death verdict on behalf of a Wisconsin grandfather who died from mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos when he worked
Boral issues quarantine notice and warning over asbestos-containing product
Boral has issued a warning to its customers over concerns that some of their fire-rated plasterboard products may be affected by asbestos contamination. The contamination affects plasterboard that is fire-rated
Tools downed after asbestos scare at Queens Wharf development
Construction workers have downed tools and walked off the job at the Queens Wharf development in Brisbane due to an asbestos contamination concern. The giant project, estimated to be worth
QLD Education Dept under fire for failing to update asbestos registers
The Education Department of Queensland has received heavy criticism after it was revealed it had failed to update the public asbestos register pertaining to schools – despite assuring stakeholders that
New tool kit for labour-hire workers rolled out as part of SafeWork month
A new nation-first toolkit to improve workplace safety for labour-hire workers has been launched as part of SafeWork month, with the theme “Protecting Workers at Risk”. The toolkit includes worker
SafeWork SA releases report on compliance for work sites with silica exposure risks
SafeWork SA has released its report on a recently conducted compliance campaign for businesses working with silica-containing materials, and made key recommendations and findings. Between October 2020 and April 2021,
Asbestos dumping from renovations on the rise in Byron
Byron Shire Council has blamed recent lockdowns and DIY renovations for a spike in illegal asbestos dumping. The Council and the NSW Environmental Protection Authority have confirmed that they are
60% Welsh schools contain asbestos
According to a Freedom of Information request by the BBC Wales, more than 900 schools across the country, or close to 60%, are known to contain asbestos. While many of
Asbestos-containing and counterfeit car parts on the rise
Counterfeit and asbestos-containing car part sales have increased throughout lockdown and the extended pandemic. As motorists attempt to do it themselves and save money, criminals are taking advantage and expanding
Victorian workplace safety regulator charges the state’s health department over COVID-19 breaches
WorkSafe Victoria has charged the state’s Department of Health with 17 breaches of Section 1 of the OHS Act, which notes failing to provide and maintain, so far as is
Fly tipping remains an issue as Bristol county hunts for fly tippers
Bristol county’s Coombe Dingle county has launched an investigation after a suspected illegal asbestos dumping was uncovered. A local asbestos removal service said it believes the sheets of corrugated asbestos
UK’s safety body announces month-long crackdown on dust exposure
The Health and Safety Executive, the United Kingdom workplace authority, has announced that it is cracking down on worksites that fail to put the appropriate workplace provisions to protect workers
Equestrian workers at risk of respirable crystalline silica, new study finds
As Australia gears up for its annual spring racing carnival, a new study out of Ireland and Scotland has raised concerns about the risk of crystalline silica dust from sanded
ADSA launches community education program to discourage visitors to Wittenoom
The Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia has launched a new community education campaign to discourage tourists from travelling to the former asbestos mining town of Wittenoom in Western Australia’s Pilbara
Former mine worker suing over silicosis after workplace exposure in QLD coal mines
One Queensland mine worker has filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against a number of mining companies after his silicosis diagnosis. The suit has been filed in the Rockhampton Supreme Court,
Senior centre inspection reveals likely $4 million in remediation costs over asbestos, lead paint
Three Massachusetts towns in the west of the state are looking for a new space for their seniors centre, after an environmental assessment found mould, asbestos and lead paint contained
Another family sues the BBC over historic asbestos exposure
The British Broadcasting Corporation is being sued over the death of a set builder who worked for the organisation between 1965 and 1988 and recently passed away from asbestos-related cancer.
New powers for EPA to prosecute property owners over toxic land
The Environmental Protection Authority can now prosecute Melbourne property owners who are aware of toxic land status after it was given greater powers to go after those who risk environmental
New dedicated treatment centre for silicosis in Victoria
Victorian stonemasons exposed to silicosis risks at work will be able to get world-class health screenings and treatment under a new partnership between the state’s health regulator, WorkSafe, and the
Inquiry launched into WHS in the UK as asbestos-related deaths near 5,000 per year
The United Kingdom has agreed to hold an inquiry into the current risks of asbestos in the country, following alarming levels of fatalities linked to asbestos exposure. The UK Parliament’s
Asbestos warning over ageing pianos & pipe organs
Historically, asbestos played a crucial role in many manufacturing parts and provided strengthening and insulation for thousands of products. It was used extensively, and by the middle of the 20th
Victorian Construction on notice with four-week COVID compliance blitz
The Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas, has warned construction sites across the state that they are on notice. As the state rushes to contain the latest outbreak, the construction industry has
20 years on from 9/11: est 500k exposed to asbestos, increased cancer revealed in new study
Twenty years after the 9/11 attacks that devastated New York City, the first responders who attended the scene of the disaster are facing another battle: increased incidence of cancer. Police
Central Coast Residents urged to be cautious around beaches after asbestos-containing material uncovered at Terrigal
Central Coast Council has issued a warning to residents to proceed with caution across the council area’s beaches and report any suspected asbestos-containing materials. The warning comes after a resident
Israel’s ‘Green Police’ turn to drones to stamp out illegal waste activity
The Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection is utilising drone technology as it seeks to stamp out environmental crimes like dumping or flytipping across the country. The drones are used to
Workers urged not to delay testing and treatment for dust diseases during lockdown
Slater and Gordon, one of Australia’s largest law firms, has issued a warning to workers suffering from respiratory symptoms after returning a negative COVID test to seek further medical treatment
Boral quarry the site of WHS offences, alleged exposure to crystalline silica
WorkSafe Victoria has charged Boral resources with six separate offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for exposing workers to crystalline silica at its Montrose quarry site. As per
Four asbestos inspectors indicted in NYC over fraudulent reports
The New York Attorney General Letitia James and the Department of Investigation (DOI) Commissioner Margaret Garnett have announced the indictment of four certified asbestos investigators. The charges relate to repeated
Construction site listed as exposure site after QR data found to be incomplete
Health authorities have expressed frustration over their inability to identify all close contacts at a construction site on the NSW Central Coast because the site didn’t have the appropriate records,
Welsh beachside community fights for asbestos removal
A beach in Wales remains at the centre of a community fight, as the removal of asbestos at the site continues to be ear marked as a ‘low risk’ by
$180K in fines over waste offences including asbestos
Liverpool Local Court has convicted and fined a Sydney man for waste and pollution offences at a property in Rossmore, NSW, after a successful investigation and prosecution by the NSW
Queensland demolition raises ire of neighbours who accuse site of exposing local residents to asbestos
The demolition of a popular Point Danger cafe has begun with controversy after neighbours told the Gold Coast Bulletin that workers were handling asbestos-containing roof sheeting inappropriately and in a
School staff protest alleged ongoing asbestos exposure at Philadelphia school
Teachers, staff and parents at a school in Philadelphia, U.S., have gathered on the steps of their school to voice their concerns over asbestos-related safety concerns at the site. Educators
Six separate charges filed against business for failure to control crystalline silica risks
WorkSafe Victoria has charged stonemasonry business, Hilton Stone Pty Ltd, with a total of six charges relating to a failure to control the risks associated with exposure to crystalline silica.
SafeWork NSW confirms COVID compliance safety blitz
SafeWork NSW inspectors have confirmed that they will be visiting construction sites across Greater Sydney to ensure COVID compliance after three sites were issued with a total of $40,000 in
CFMMEU claims 200 tonnes of fill supplied to school contaminated with asbestos
The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union has claimed that 200 tonnes of material delivered to a building site at a school in Brisbane is contaminated with asbestos. The
EPA under investigation by Ombudsman over WestGate asbestos and PFAS
The environmental approvals process for sites that are planning to handle toxic soil from Victoria’s West Gate Tunnel build will be the subject of a probe. Ombudsman Deborah Glass announced
$7,500 in fines for failing to respond to EPA notice; alleged unlawful asbestos transportation
A waste contractor has been convicted and fined by the NSW branch of the Environmental Protection Authority for failing to provide information and the required records. In February of last
UK launches inquiry into asbestos management as work-related deaths reach 5,000 PA
The United Kingdom Government has called an inquiry into the current risks of asbestos following rising numbers of fatalities liked to it. The work and pensions committee in parliament will
Asbestos-containing illegal dumping continues as councils plead for public assistance
The Environmental Health team at Mid Coast Council is asking the public for help to locate those responsible for an incident of illegal dumping. Mid Coast Council spans from Nelson’s
Staff and inmates concerned over potential asbestos exposure after Waikeria Prison riots
The New Zealand Department of Corrections has confirmed that the Waikeria Prison site contains asbestos in a section of the site soon to be demolished but has reiterated that the
Victorian TAFE investigated over dry cutting practices
Apprentices at Victorian TAFE courses are allegedly being taught how to dry cut sandstone despite the material containing high levels of potentially deadly silica dust. The practice of dry cutting
Global rates of mesothelioma increasing, countries with asbestos bans faring better
According to a new study published this week, the global incidence of mesothelioma and associated deaths increased from 1990 to 2017. Zhen Zhai MD from the Zhejiang University in China,
Compensation for silicosis-affected miners in South Africa labelled as ‘insufficient progress’
A South African organisation that represents silicosis-affected gold miners has said that compensation for them should be expedited for successful applicants. It emerged last month that only R9 million (approximately
WHS Queensland reveals 99 enforcement actions after stone bench top industry safety blitz
A number of Gold Coast stone benchtop fabricators have raised the ire of the safety watchdog after it was revealed that they’re still exposing workers to “unacceptable” levels of crystalline