01:01 pm, Saturday 13 April, 2013

David Caldwell accidently exposed himself to asbestos, even though he was well aware of the dangers of asbestos, at the time he was working on a door that he had no idea contained asbestos.

He was performing the simple task of installing a new lock into the door and it wasn’t until he saw the grey dust that was mixed with the wood dust did he realise that the door contained asbestos.

Since, he has worked at ensuring that tradespeople and home renovators are aware of this deadly danger that is barely documented or spoken about.

After his exposure David dug around for some information about the doors and discovered that:

- Between 1960 and 1990 it was actually a widespread practice to install asbestos filled front doors into units and apartments in Australia.

- These doors cannot be distinguished from doors that are solid wooden, fibreglass or gypsum doors

- In their report “Asbestos Exposure and Compliance Study of Construction and Maintenance Workers” SafeWork Australia reported that typically working on a door wit an asbestos core will expose a worker to ten times the amount of asbestos dust than other typical sources

The most difficult thing about these doors that it is not until they are cut into is the asbestos visible, there are no obvious signs on the outside of the doors to warn people of the asbestos content.

Report by Zoe Dunbar - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

03:27 pm, Monday 11 March, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

More than 20 former workers of a brewing company are concerned they were exposed to asbestos during their employment in the 1950s and 60s.

According to a News Limited report, the workers sought the help of compensation lawyers in response to an advertisement for witnesses for a worker’s legal claim against the brewing company in February.

The 78-year-old fitter was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2011 and claims he was exposed to asbestos dust while working for the brewing company from 1957 to 1964.

The worker’s lawyer said his client has suffered financially because of his medical bills.

“He has not sold his home yet, but is really feeling the pinch financially,” his lawyer said.

“It was known at the time exposure to asbestos was a health risk and we say his employer failed to take measures to mitigate against the risk.”

News Limited further reported that the trial is scheduled to commence on April 10 at the Melbourne Supreme Court.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

06:11 pm, Friday 15 February, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

Building unions have launched a campaign on Wednesday in Sydney to renew a push for the creation of a federal asbestos authority.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and asbestos community groups urge their members to call on the Federal Government to “commit Budget funds so the massive task of clearing Australia’s buildings of the deadly substance can be started.”

Unions and asbestos diseases organisations in the country are urging the government to provide guaranteed funding in the 2013-14 budget so a National Asbestos Authority can be established and to immediately commence with the removal of asbestos from all government and commercial buildings.

According to AMWU national secretary, Paul Bastian, the funding will also be important to ensure the new asbestos authority can target publicity campaigns warning home renovators of the dangers of asbestos in roofs and walls. A Sydney Morning Herald report said two out of three homes in Australia built between World War II and the early 80s still contain the deadly chemical.

Mr Bastian said that if the urgent recommendation of last year’s Asbestos Management Review Report will be given importance, then politicians need to be committed in providing future Budget funding.

Mr Bastian was speaking at the launching of the new “Asbestos Free Future” website with co-sponsor the CFMEU and mesothelioma patients Serafina Salucci and Pat Rogan.

Former Member of NSW Parliament Pat Rogan said funding is urgently needed for prevention of asbestos-related diseases and research.

“I’m a Labor man and I think it’s great the Gillard Government are committed in principle to getting rid of asbestos in buildings, but it is a mammoth task with the thousands of homes built with asbestos sheeting they have to make a start,” said Mr Rogan.

“Awareness is terribly important, it has to be a priority because today’s younger people have to know to leave it alone, not to try and renovate or work it because the danger is still there,” he said.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

01:14 pm, Thursday 29 November, 2012

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

South Australia’s four-year Asbestos Safety Action Plan will be released at the end of this week, detailing practical activities and continued efforts by stakeholders to manage asbestos and prevent its effects.

Minister for Industrial Relations Russell Wortley during the official launch of the Asbestos Awareness Week 2012 said every South Australian worker and home renovator must be aware of the risks caused by asbestos.

Minister Wortley reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure asbestos safety and said recently harmonised workplace laws refine and improve measures to manage and control asbestos exposure.

“New nationally harmonised work, health and safety laws will come into effect on 1 January 2013 in South Australia and will include clear directions on the management of asbestos,” said Minister Wortley.

“It’s clear to everyone that the only way to prevent more illness, more death, is to make sure that every worker, every home renovator, is aware of the health dangers and knows how to prevent exposure to asbestos.

“Each year, approximately 650 Australians are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and we must do everything to reduce exposure to this deadly dust.”

A total of 642 people were recorded in 2010 to have died from mesothelioma, which is an asbestos-related cancer.

It is estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 Australians will be diagnosed with asbestos-related disease in the next 20 years.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

11:57 am, Tuesday 27 November, 2012

A new film on the dangers of asbestos ‘Clear and present danger: Asbestos exposed’, was released by the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).

The film shows common places where asbestos can be found in a typical Queensland home built before 1990, when asbestos was commonly used as a construction material. It also offers safety tips that builders and the public must consider during renovation to prevent exposure to asbestos fibre.

The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland urges home renovators and tradies alike to be cautious with asbestos materials and to be aware of the risks of asbestos exposure during renovation projects.

To view the video, visit the WHSQ website.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

02:22 pm, Thursday 6 September, 2012

Children who were exposed to asbestos in Wittenoom, Western Australia are now suffering a range of asbestos –related diseases or dying at a rate well above the average population, according to a study conducted by researchers from The University of Western Australia for the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR).

Wittenoom was Australia’s only supplier of blue asbestos during the 1950s and early 1960s before mining ceased in 1966. The town was shut down the same year because of increasing health concerns from asbestos exposure in the area.

The study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine was the first to examine the long-term health condition of children exposed to asbestos at Wittenoom.

According to a news release from The University of Western Australia, girls up to the age of 15 who lived in Wittenoom have greater risks of dying from mesothelioma, ovarian and brain cancers and increased mortality rates. Boys who spent their childhood and early teenage years in the town during the years that asbestos mining was active (1943-1966) are now suffering from elevated rates of mesothelioma, leukaemia, prostate, brain and colorectal cancer, diseases of the circulatory and nervous system, and excessive mortality rates.

“The original township was only 1.6km from the mine,” said leading researcher on the paper, WAIMR’s Associate Professor Alison Reid.

“Later in 1947, when the population grew, the township was moved 12km away from the mine site but tailings from the mine were used throughout the town.

“These tailings, rich in crocidolite fibres, were used to pave roads, footpaths, parking areas, the local racecourse and school playgrounds. They were even used in people’s backyards, where of course, children often played,” she said.

“These “Wittenoom kids” are now reaching the age where chronic adult diseases are becoming more prevalent and many have died.”

The study found that 2460 children from Wittenoom were documented to have been exposed to blue asbestos before the age of 15. Median age of their first exposure was at three years of age.

By the end of 2007, 228 former Wittenoom residents had died. By the end of 2009, 215 cases of cancer were reported in 207 people which means that compared with the general population in Western Australia, girls from Wittenoom have had a 20-47 percent greater risk of dying from any cause, while boys have had a 50-83 percent increased chance of dying from any cause.

“We will continue to follow this group to provide important information on the long-term implications of exposure to asbestos during childhood,” said Prof Reid.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

01:14 pm, Thursday 6 September, 2012

SafeWork SA, together with the Environment Protection Authority is conducting audits of South Australia’s licensed asbestos removalists to ensure safe practices at their worksites.

A/Executive Director, Juanita Lovatt stressed the importance of a review to protect people from the health dangers of asbestos.

“We cannot underestimate the harmful effects of asbestos fibres, and that is why Australia banned its production, importation and use many years ago,” said Ms Lovatt.

“The safe removal of asbestos – from identification to disposal – is crucial not just for the occupants of buildings and homes where it is found, but for the workers who must carry out the job.

She said illegal removal of asbestos, unsafe transport and dumping of asbestos are areas of concern to SafeWork SA and EPA.

“This review of the licensees is to make sure they are complying with the terms of the licence. The rules are there to address the known risks and to reduce illness and death from inhaling asbestos fibres.

“Those who fail to meet their licensing obligations will be issued with appropriate compliance notices,” she said.

The findings of the first phase of audits which will be completed by January 2013, will be released to industry and stakeholders to help the industry in improving health and safety.

Australia ranks the highest reported per capita incidence of asbestos-related diseases in the world due to the country’s high usage of asbestos in buildings and residential properties for much of the 20^th century.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

04:11 pm, Wednesday 5 September, 2012

The establishment of a new national agency to oversee the removal of asbestos from all government and commercial buildings by 2030 was welcomed by unions calling on the new office to act quickly on making Australia free from the toxic material.

According to a report published by SafetyCulture, the Office of Asbestos Safety was announced by the Federal Workplace Relations Minister, Bill Shorten on Tuesday.  This announcement follows a government review released in August, which recommended for a national effort to manage asbestos and minimise people’s exposure to the material.

Unions NSW Secretary, Mark Lennon said it was tragic to know that 600 people are killed due to asbestos exposure every year.

“Here in NSW, asbestos has particular resonance because of our long and ongoing struggle with the consequence of asbestos products from companies like James Hardie,” said Mr Lennon.

“This agency is a breakthrough. It will mean that in many cases we identify the threat of asbestos before it can have its deadly effect.

“Thousands of families in NSW and across the country have felt the horrible effect of this fibre and we need to stay vigilant to ensure we remove it completely.

“There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. We congratulate the Federal Government and Minister Shorten for this bold move which will help manage the threat of exposure.”

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that ACTU Assistant Secretary Michael Borowick called on the Office of Asbestos Safety to act at once on making the country asbestos-free.

“About 600 Australians are dying from asbestos-related diseases each year, including increasing numbers who inadvertently breathed in asbestos fibres during home renovation projects,” said Mr Borowick.

“Although asbestos was banned almost a decade ago, Australians are concerned that it remains a major health hazard in the community and unions are determined that the removal of asbestos by 2030 remains on the public agenda.”

With the creation of the new national agency, unions are positive that the number of asbestos victims will be lessened in the coming decades.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

12:26 pm, Thursday 16 August, 2012

Approximately 23,000 Chinese-made cars were recalled after asbestos was found in its engine and exhaust gaskets.

WorkCover NSW is coordinating with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, other work health and safety regulators and government agencies as well as the supplier of Great Wall and Chery motor vehicles in relation to the recall of the vehicles.

A risk assessment carried out by an independent occupational hygienist discovered a negligible risk of asbestos exposure while the gaskets are in place. It was reported that disturbance or removal of the asbestos gaskets may liberate asbestos fibres.

Replacement of car parts in existing vehicles will be done by the supplier’s automotive repairers in line with work health and safety legislation.

WorkCover is working with the suppliers to have asbestos gaskets removed for the existing stock of un-sold vehicles or for these cars returned to the overseas manufacturer.

WorkCover calls on businesses in the automotive repair industry and the car wrecking and recycling industry to do the following:

• Treat all Great Wall and Chery motor vehicles as containing asbestos gaskets unless testing has indicated the gaskets are asbestos free, or service records are verified to determine that the gaskets have been removed. Contact the supplier for further information on the type and location of asbestos gaskets prior to removing any gaskets.
• Carry out all asbestos gasket removal work in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and WorkCover Guidance Note: Working with Asbestos in the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry.
• Ensure that health monitoring is provided in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 for all workers who are carrying out ongoing asbestos removal work or asbestos-related work. Contact the Dust Diseases Board (DDB) on (02) 8223 6600 for further advice on health monitoring.

More information on working with asbestos in the motor vehicle industry can be accessed through the WorkCover website.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

12:36 pm, Friday 3 August, 2012

The Electrical Trades Union is threatening a Federal Court action against an engineering company after workers were exposed to asbestos at a work site in Queensland.

AAP reported that several workers at the Curtis Island liquefied natural gas plant were exposed to asbestos this week.

The site was immediately quarantined but ETU released a statement today alleging that the gas firm was trying to cut workers’ pay because of time lost from the asbestos discovery.

“Our members were facing an imminent risk to their health and safety through being exposed to white asbestos…. (and) they refused to work in the affected areas until they were given the all clear,” said ETU assistant secretary, Peter Ong.

“The company have come back and said, ‘yes, we now have testing that shows that you have been exposed, but we are not going to pay for your time lost, because you were taking unprotected industrial action’.”

Mr Ong confirmed that ETU is considering Federal Court action after a Fair Work Australia hearing did not resolve the dispute.

The company has not yet released a statement over the allegations.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know