The National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness 2014–18 established a coordinated national approach for preventing exposure to airborne asbestos fibres in order to eliminate asbestos-related disease in Australia. About the 2014–18 plan
During phase one of the ANSP all governments worked together conducting research, increasing awareness and developing and disseminating practical information about asbestos.
The ANSP 2014-18 identified six key strategies:
- Awareness – Increase public awareness of the health risks posed by working with or being exposed to asbestos.
- Best practice – Identify and share best practice in asbestos management, education, handling, storage and disposal.
- Identification – Improve the identification and grading of asbestos and sharing of information regarding the location of asbestos materials.
- Removal – Identify priority areas where ACMs present a risk, identify the barriers to the safe removal of asbestos and review management and removal infrastructure to estimate the capacity and rate for the safe removal of asbestos.
- Research – Commission, monitor and promote research into the prevention of asbestos exposure and asbestos-related disease.
- International leadership – Australia continues to play a leadership role in a global campaign for a worldwide ban on asbestos mining and manufacturing.
During the phase one ANSP, annual progress reports were published which detailed the activities undertaken by state, territory and Australian Government agencies.
Research conducted during phase one of the ANSP was exploratory, but targeted, in nature. It focused on themes considered important to better understand how to deal with Australia’s asbestos legacy. Collectively, it provided the solid evidence base needed to inform decisions and priority setting.