Think twice about asbestos: National Asbestos Awareness Week 2023

Participate in a week of events and activities to raise awareness about asbestos risks and management

Asbestos is a deadly material that was banned in Australia 20 years ago, but it still poses a serious threat to our health and safety. That’s why SafeWork SA is inviting you to join National Asbestos Awareness Week 2023, from 20-26 November, to learn more about how to identify, manage and prevent asbestos exposure.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Think Twice About Asbestos”, which encourages everyone to think carefully before starting any work or renovation that may disturb asbestos-containing materials.

Register to attend the online forum here.

Download a campaign pack here.

What’s on during the week?

There is a range of events and activities planned for the week, including:

• An interactive online forum presented by SafeWork SA on the management of asbestos in workplaces. The forum will cover topics such as asbestos registers, management plans, demolition and refurbishment work, licence holder sanctions and enforcement. The forum will be held on Monday 20 November at 1 pm. You can register here.
• Two memorial services to honour and remember those who have lost their lives to asbestos-related diseases. The Asbestos Disease Society of SA will host a service at Jack Watkins Reserve, Kilburn on Thursday 23 November at 1 pm. The Asbestos Victims Association (SA) Inc will hold a service at Pitman Park, Salisbury, on Friday 24 November at 10:30 am.
• A campaign pack with a range of materials for organisations and individuals to use and share. The pack includes posters, flyers, social media posts, videos and more. You can download the pack here.

Why is asbestos awareness important?

Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can cause diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. An estimated 4,000 Australians die annually from asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos was widely used in building and construction materials until it was completely banned in December 2003. However, a significant amount of ageing asbestos-containing material remains in our built environment, which means there is an ongoing need for vigilance to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres and a need to focus on safe, proactive removal.

Where can I find more information?

For more information about asbestos, visit Asbestos.SA, a website that provides comprehensive and up-to-date information on asbestos for South Australians.

You can also check out the Asbestos Health and Safety Snapshot 2022-23, which provides an overview of the current state of asbestos in South Australia, including statistics, trends, initiatives and challenges.

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Sources

Asbestos danger still strong 20 years on by SafeWork SA, 10th November, 2023.