The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency was established in 2013 to oversee national actions to improve asbestos awareness and the effective and safe management, removal and disposal of asbestos. In 2023 the agency’s functions were expanded to include silica.
The ASSEA quarterly newsletters provide an update on the work of the agency in coordinating national actions to eliminate asbestos-related diseases and silica-related diseases in Australia. These newsletters include articles on projects and activities stakeholders can get involved in, highlights new resources developed by the agency and our stakeholders, and shares the latest asbestos and silica related news stories.
This quarter’s ASSEA newsletter includes the following topics –
Communicating Asbestos Facts and Figures – ASSEA have updated this guidance to help ensure that asbestos information communicated to the public is clear, consistent and evidence based. The guide should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines for communicating about asbestos risk to the public.
National Guide for Asbestos Surveys - This guide provides a robust and standardised process for conducting asbestos surveys (also known as asbestos inspections or audits) in buildings and structures, so that effective actions can be taken to prevent exposure to airborne asbestos fibres. It is primarily a tool for asbestos surveyors and is also useful for property and business owners.
Updates to the Asbestos Product Guide – This guide features over 1000 images of various asbestos-containing materials, supported with descriptions of where these materials can be found.
Asbestos National Strategic Plan animation - To promote Phase 3 of the Asbestos National Strategic Plan (ANSP) ASSEA have developed a short, animated video. This video summarises the ANSP and explains its 3 key priorities.
Asbestos Waste in Australia - The Asbestos waste data in Australia – 2023-24 Annual Update infographic provides the most recent data summary. 1,195,965 tonnes asbestos waste disposed in 2023-24. This is equivalent to 597 Olympic swimming pools and is almost enough to fill up the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Most asbestos waste comes from renovation and urban development.
Read more: Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency