Asbestos Awareness Month

November is National Asbestos Awareness Month and Getex would like to encourage businesses and home owners to get on board and be asbestos aware.

Australia unfortunately has one of the highest rates of asbestos related diseases in in the world due to the country’s history of manufacturing and using asbestos containing products according to The Australian Mesothelioma Registry. According to the Australian Mesothelioma Registry asbestos related diseases are yet to peak and there are growing concerns about the third wave of asbestos related diseases due to homeowners conducting their own unregulated renovations (click hear to read Getex’s blog on how to escape the third wave of asbestos related diseases).

Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting roofing (left), asbestos cement sheeting wall panels (right)

So, what can you do to be asbestos aware?

If you are a business: Organise for an asbestos survey or inspection to be conducted for your work premise. This will help protect your workers from the dangers of asbestos in the workplace. The WHS Regulations 2011 states that it is mandatory for workplace buildings built before the end of 2003 to have an asbestos register (click here to read more on Getex’s blog on Asbestos Registers: When Do You Need One?).
For the homeowner: The slogan for National Asbestos Awareness Month states “Don’t Play Renovation Roulette! Get to Know Asbestos This November.” Before conducting any renovations be aware of any asbestos materials that could potentially be disturbed during the renovation works. If you are unsure if it is asbestos then get it inspected by a qualified person such as an Occupational Hygienist.

To find out more about asbestos during asbestos awareness month please find the following links helpful.

Update: According to the Australian Mesothelioma Registry asbestos related diseases are yet to peak and there are growing concerns about the third wave of asbestos related diseases due to homeowners conducting their own unregulated renovations. Click here to read Getex’s blog on how to escape the third wave of asbestos related diseases.