OHS REPS @ WORK

Asbestos: towards a co-ordinated approach

The last week of November each year is Asbestos Awareness Week. The focus this year is to remind workers and community members that all forms of asbestos, including asbestos dust, is 'unfinished business' requiring a co-ordinated approach.

It also provides an opportunity to remember and support the families affected by asbestos-related diseases.

The theme of Asbestos Awareness Week this year is Asbestos: Towards a co-ordinated approach.

The VTHC and affiliates, together with a number of asbestos support groups use the week to ensure that the general community, not only workers, understands the very real danger that asbestos in our environment poses to our health (see below for the Timetable of events).

While the risk of contracting an asbestos related disease increases with the level of exposure, no exposure to asbestos fibres is 'safe'. Even very minor exposures have been known to eventually kill. Asbestos fibres can be breathed in while working with asbestos containing materials, cleaning up dust and so on.

To access all the information on this website on asbestos, click here.

Events:

Monday November 26th - Media Release and Press Conference

“Towards a co-ordinated approach – asbestos is unfinished business"  (Venue to be advised)

Commemoration Services

The highlight of the week are the Asbestos Commemoration Services held in Melbourne and in Morwell. The services provide an opportunity for the community to come together to acknowledge the toll of asbestos, to support those living with asbestos disease or exposure to asbestos, and to remember those who have died.

Melbourne

Tuesday November 27th - Multifaith Service
Organised by the Asbestos Diseases Society of Victoria (ADSVIC), the service will be at The BMW Edge Theatre (Federation Square) at 11.00am, followed by a BYO picnic/BBQ lunch by the Yarra.  (download the invitation at the bottom of this page)

This is a multi-faith service and will provide a time for reflection, remembrance, inspiration and celebration. Anyone whose life has been touched by an asbestos-related disease is warmly welcomed to attend the service.

The service will be preceded at 10.15am by the ADSVIC AGM.

The BBQ lunch by the Yarra will be kindly provided by the CFMEU.
For enquiries, assistance with disability access or to RSVP, please call ADSVIC on 03 9639 4464 or email info@adsvic.org.au info@adsvic.org.au info@adsvic.org.au info@adsvic.org.au info@adsvic.org.au info@adsvic.org.au

Geelong

Wednesday November 28 - Memorial Service

The Asbestos Information and Support Services Inc (AISS), a not-for-profit organisation primarily run by volunteers who have been personally touched by asbestos disease, is organising a service in recognition of all the lives that have been affected by these diseases. The service will be at the Trades Hall Council, 127 Myers Street, Geelong, from 4.00pm - 6.00pm. Refreshments will be served following the service. (download the invitation at the bottom of this page)

Speakers include Paul Stephens (Uniting Church Minister); James Gunderson (AISS); Les Newman (AISS Member); Barry Fitton (State Secretary CEPU Plumbers); and Richard Marles (ALP candidate for the Federal seat of Corio in the upcoming election).

For enquiries please contact James Gunderson on: 9654-9555 or 0412 697 037 or contact@aissorg.au 

Morwell 

Friday November 30 - Annual Asbestos Awareness Day Ceremony

The Gippsland Asbestos Related Diseases Support Group (GARDS) is organising an ecumenical service to remember those who are suffering and those who have succumbed to asbestos disease. At 11am at the Morewell Rose Garden, it will be conducted by Minister Russell Jones of the Uniting Church Moe/Newborough and there will be a number of guest speakers: Eric Windholz (WorkSafe), John Parker (Secretary of the Gippsland Trades & Labour Council), Vicki Hamilton (Secretary of GARDS), and Ian Nethercote (CEO ofLoy Yang Power). Music from GARDS Scottish bag pipers Bill Dunbar & David Duncan.

At the conclusion of the ceremony there will be a free BBQ lunch compliments of
Gippsland Trades & Labour Council and all those in the community are most welcome to attend. For further information contact Vicki Hamilton 0407274173 or the GARDS office: 5127 7744

Union and workplace events

• Ask your employer to provide you with a copy of the Asbestos Register.
• Do your bit to help prevent Canada exporting asbestos around the world: read more.
  

Raising awareness in the workplace

Asbestos Awareness Week also provides a great opportunity for raising asbestos issues in the workplace – both with employers and workers. Check out the information on asbestos on this website for reps and workers. OHS reps are encouraged to do the following:

1. Ask your employer for the workplace asbestos register (or 'audit'). All workplaces must have an up-to-date audit.
2. Check how accurate it is - do a workplace inspection, talk to the members of your DWG
3. If your building is free of asbestos - consider placing a plaque on the building declaring it to be: "Asbestos Free"

Fundraising

Fundraising is another important focus for the week. Throughout the year asbestos support groups provide free services for families affected by asbestos disease and free health and safety information for the wider community. Asbestos Awareness badges are available for sale from both GARDS and ADSVIC to individuals and groups. Your support will help provide services to people with asbestos illness.

Donations can also be made to:

• ADSVIC online
  
• to GARDS by post at PO Box 111, Moe Victoria 3825.
  
• to AISS by post to 2nd floor 247-251 Flinders Lane Melbourne 3000.
  

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

For more information on any activities, or to order Asbestos Awareness badges or Fact Sheets, please contact ADSVIC on 03 9639 4464 or info@adsvic.org.au; and GARDS on 03 51277744 or info@gards.org