National Asbestos Awareness Month
Published on 01 November 2022
During National Asbestos Awareness Month (1–30 November) the Asbestos Education Committee aims to increase essential awareness of the ever-present danger of asbestos when renovating or maintaining homes particularly amid the continued record-breaking building and renovation boom and the tradie shortage and inflation bites hard.
Amid the growing popularity of renovating, with homeowners grippedby interest rate hikes together with the unprecedented lack of tradespersons andthe rising costs of labour; concerns are growing that homeowners are taking avoidable risks with asbestos, jeopardising their health and the health of others when doing DIY renovations.
Over 4,000 Australians die every year from asbestos-related diseases – around 265% more than the annual national road toll, so as long as asbestos-containing materials remain in homes built or renovated prior to 1990, it’s vital that DIYers, homeowners, renovators and tradies heed the warnings and respect the serious dangers of asbestos because it’s not worth the risk!
The Asbestos Awareness website offers extensive information including the types of homes that may be affected and the types of products to look for. The online Asbestos Product Database provides images and locations of products likely to contain asbestos and the Asbestos Awareness – 20 Point Safety Check gives information on the risks and how to manage asbestos safely.
Now in its eleventh year, Australia’s longest-running, multi-award winning annual national Asbestos Awareness campaign will continue to warn homeowners, renovators and tradies of the dangers of asbestos and direct them to Australia’s leading, most comprehensive, trusted asbestos information source asbestosawareness.com.au to help save lives.