On average 2 people in Australia are diagnosed with mesothelioma every day – more than 4000 Australians die each year from asbestos related conditions, accounting for more than 70% of work-related deaths. As that number continues to rise, largely resulting from home renovations or workplace exposure, it is more important than ever to increase public knowledge and education on how to safely manage asbestos.
Advocacy Australia urges homeowners to Stop Playing Renovation Roulette.
National Asbestos Awareness Month (NAAM) is a health and safety campaign running for the whole month of November with the goal of raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos, providing resources for managing asbestos safely and to engaging communities around this important safety issue.
Advocacy Australia’s Asbestos Education Committee launched NAAM 2024 with the announcement of its new asbestos awareness tool designed to help property owners to understand asbestos risks and how to manage them safely.
Advocacy Australia’s videos and guides explain that asbestos-containing products can be found in any home built or renovated prior to 1990 and in any commercial and non-residential property built or refurbished prior to 2004, and offer resources and checklists to understand asbestos and manage it safely.
If you suspect you may have building or decorator products in your home that contain asbestos, seek advice and follow the Don’ts - Don’t cut it! Don’t drill it! Don’t drop it! Don’t sand it! Don’t saw it! Don’t scrape it! Don’t scrub it! Don’t dismantle it! Don’t tip it! Don’t waterblast it! Don’t demolish it! And whatever you do… Don’t dump it!
In Victoria on the last Friday in November we hold Asbestos Awareness Day to remember and celebrate loved ones – you can find more information here Asbestos Council of Victoria | GARDS
You can find more information and a guide to what HSRs can do about asbestos in their workplaces on our OHSReps website –
