Asbestos Awareness Week 2024

Asbestos Awareness Week (25 November to 1 December 2024) is held nationally in November to increase awareness of the risks of working and living with asbestos containing materials. It aims to drive behavioural and attitudinal change about the importance of work health and safety measures regarding these materials, and to educate the community about how to safely work and live alongside these products.

Events

Join us for our free livestreamed safety session to learn how to work and live safely around asbestos.

Webinar: Know your asbestos: identification and safe removal for small projects
Date:  Thursday 28 November 2024
Time: 10.00–11.15am
Location:  Online
Cost: Free

This webinar will delve into the safe removal and disposal of up to 10m² of non-friable asbestos. Designed especially for tradespeople, homeowners and home renovators, this livestreamed event will cover:

  • how to identify asbestos-containing materials in the home
  • safe transport and disposal of asbestos in areas up to 10m² of non-friable asbestos
  • real-life case studies of what happens when the law isn’t followed, including fines for illegal asbestos removal and the dangers of using high-pressure water blasting.

Register now

Program

10.00–10.05am Welcome by Master of Ceremonies 
Chris Bombolas
10.05–10.25am

How to identify asbestos-containing materials in homes built before 1990, and safe removal requirements for homeowners, home renovators and tradespeople
Colin McAllister, Principal Advisor, Office of Industrial Relations

In this segment, Colin will discuss how to identify common asbestos materials found in homes built before 1990, highlighting visual cues and providing resources for homeowners, home renovators and tradespeople. He will also cover safe removal requirements surrounding asbestos removal, including relevant Codes of Practice and the implications of non-compliance.
10.25–10.35am 

Dangers of using high-pressure water blasting on asbestos 
Matt Young, Principal Advisor, Office of Industrial Relations

Matt will detail the risks of using high-pressure water blasting on asbestos-containing materials. This segment will explain why this practice is illegal, and the potential for asbestos fibres to spread, posing serious health risks, fines and substantial clean-up costs.
10.35–10.45am

Real-life case studies of what happens when things go wrong, including fines and dangers
Dustin Carroll, Asbestos Compliance Unit, Office of Industrial Relations

Dustin will discuss real-life case studies that illustrate what happens when the law isn’t followed, including fines for illegal asbestos removal and the dangers of using high-pressure water blasting on asbestos containing products.
10.45–10.55am

Transport and disposal of asbestos in areas up to 10m² of non-friable asbestos 
Tim Reid, Manager, Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Tim will outline safe practices for transporting and disposing of up to 10m2 of non-friable asbestos, emphasising proper techniques and protective measures.
10.55–11.10am Questions
11.10–11.15am  MC and event close 
Chris Bombolas


 

Past event recordings

Asbestos safety for businesses webinar

This webinar was held during Asbestos Awareness Week 2023 to educate businesses about where asbestos containing materials are commonly found in commercial and industrial buildings, reveal the compliance issues auditors most commonly encounter when they conduct site visits, and give an overview of the legislative requirements regarding the management of asbestos containing materials for businesses operating out of premises built prior to 1990.

Asbestos safety in the community webinar

Again, held in Asbestos Awareness Week 2023, this safety session aimed to equip homeowners and DIYers with more knowledge about where asbestos containing materials are commonly found in homes, how to manage them, safe methods for cleaning these materials and information about removing and disposing of up to 10m2 of non-friable asbestos.

Asbestos safety session 2022

This safety session was held on Tuesday 22 November 2022 and covered topics relevant to both businesses and the community.

Resources

Films

View or download films about a range of asbestos related topics and issues.

  • Locating asbestos in the home films - these four individual segments uncover where asbestos is commonly found in Australian homes built during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
  • Losing breath – The Adam Sager story - Julie and Don Sager’s son, Adam was unknowingly exposed to asbestos dust when he was 18 months old. He was 24 years old when he first developed symptoms of the asbestos disease, mesothelioma and died just 10 months later at 25 years old.

If your property or business premises was built or renovated before 1990, it is likely to contain asbestos containing materials. More than 3000 of these products were used in older homes and buildings, so always play it safe before doing any renovating or cleaning.

Products that contain asbestos that are in good condition are not a risk to your health. However, if these are deteriorating, disturbed, broken, sanded, blasted with high pressure water or cut, they can become harmful. This is when asbestos fibres are released into the air and can be breathed in, putting your and others' health at risk. Remember, asbestos fibres are too small to see with the naked eye, but they are still dangerous.

More information

Want to learn more about living and working safely with asbestos? Check out our resources page.