With November being Asbestos Awareness Month (and week), WorkSafe Victoria has reminded contractors/employers to look after their workers.
Removing asbestos is a thorough and lengthy process, but has to be done right and safely to ensure all you’re doing it by the book. There are always companies looking to cut corners in terms of providing the correct protective gear for their workers, which has led to numerous fines totalling more than $20,000 for some.
Recent examples of companies caught out include ordering workers to demolish a house before asbestos-containing material was removed, failing to ensure workers were wearing required PPE for asbestos removal and failing to indicate the presence and location of asbestos in a workplace.
As well as providing the correct safety gear during asbestos inspections/removals, employers are required to arrange medical screenings for workers experiencing prolonged exposure to asbestos. Exposure can lead to contracting the aggressive lung cancer known as mesothelioma.
“Asbestos Awareness Week is a time for employers to take stock of their obligations regarding asbestos and ensure they are not putting any workers or members of the public at risk,” WorkSafe’s Director of Health and Safety Dr Narelle Beer said.
“The ramifications for not following the rules can include serious disease or even death, which is why WorkSafe regularly conducts proactive asbestos inspections.”
For more information, visit worksafe.vic.gov.au.