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Asbestos Diseases Awareness Week

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Date:
18/11/2008

Title:
Asbestos Diseases Awareness Week

Content:

This year the Asbestos Diseases Awareness Week will bring to the attention of the Australian public the epidemic proportion of asbestos caused disease and the unacceptable amount of decaying asbestos products which are still present in the community, releasing asbestos fibres and creating an unacceptable health risk.

It has been estimated that the Australian asbestos manufacturers have produced in excess of 1.3 billion square metres of asbestos cement sheeting between 1917 and 1984 and almost all the products have been used in the building industry around Australia.

"For decades the asbestos mining and manufacturing industries lied to their workers about the known hazards of asbestos. These industries have mislead regulating authorities, manipulating science and delaying implementation of safeguards to protect workers and community" states Robert Vojakovic, President of the Asbestos Disease Society of Australia.

"Failure to address the risk associated with the presence of asbestos in a building will expose owners and occupiers of buildings and employers to significant legal liability for injuries and illness arising our of the exposure to asbestos. Over time, Australian laws will likely develop higher expectations of building owners and occupiers to better protect the consumers and workers."

This year, as part of Asbestos Disease Awareness Week, the Asbestos Diseases Society is holding an exhibition to help awareness.

For more information regarding Asbestos Diseases Awareness Week, refer to the WorkCover WA events calendar.

Page Last created: 18.11.2008
Last Updated: 18.11.2008

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