More than 330 people were diagnosed with diseases linked to workplace asbestos exposure in NSW in 2020-21.
Therefore, this year’s National Asbestos Awareness Week is a caution for people to ‘think twice about asbestos’ when doing home renovations or maintenance.
Buildings constructed before 1990, including one in three homes in NSW, have a good chance of containing harmful asbestos.
People working on these buildings can stay safe by taking the following precautions:
- If they know where asbestos is, do not disturb or damage it.
- Seek professional help to locate, manage or remove asbestos.
- People working with asbestos should undertake awareness training and wear appropriate PPE at all times.
Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said Asbestos Awareness Week is a timely reminder for people to be careful when dealing with the dangerous substance.
“Many older houses have been built using materials containing asbestos and when it is in good condition it poses little health risk. But when cut or drilled, small asbestos fibres are created which can be inhaled, potentially leading to harmful asbestos-related diseases,” Mr Anderson said.