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In partnership with the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand (FAMANZ), we held the ASBESTOS 2024 Conference from 4-6 March at the Rydges Melbourne.

Over the past few months there has been widespread community concern regarding asbestos contaminated mulch first discovered in NSW and subsequently in the ACT and Victoria. Regulators in these jurisdictions have been investigating the incidents and have provided updates on the NSW EPA, WorkSafe ACT and Environment Protection Authority Victoria websites.

Asbestos is group of naturally occurring minerals known to cause cancer and other diseases.

The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA) has published a National Guide for Asbestos Surveys which provides a robust and standardised process for conducting asbestos surveys (also known as asbestos inspections or audits) in buildings and structures.

Phase two of the National Asbestos Awareness Campaign ran from 17 March – 14 April to coincide with the lead up to and during the Easter holidays, which is a known period of increased DIY/home improvement activity.

The Asbestos waste data in Australia – 2022-23 Annual Update infographic is now available on our website.

As the new Chief Executive Officer of the now Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency, I am extremely honoured to come to the agency following the success of the previous CEO Justine Ross and at a time of expanded functions for the agency. With the royal assent last week of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023, the amendment to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill 2023 has been enacted, meaning the agency can now play a central role in coordinating, monitoring and reporting on national efforts to eliminate both asbestos and silica-related diseases in Australia, and support those affected by these diseases. This change provides an enormous opportunity for the agency, our partners and the newly expanded Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Council, to continue the push that will build awareness of the risks of exposure, while securing protections needed, both nationally and internationally.

An update to the National Residential Asbestos Heatmap, a resource developed for government stakeholders, is almost here! Version 2.1 has been produced using improved prediction methods, as well as additional asbestos data and the latest predictor data. The updated heatmap continues to show the likelihood of asbestos presence by geographic areas across Australia and includes a new prediction confidence rating.

Our lineup of local and international speakers is diverse and the conference program promises to provide valuable insights and practical solutions to the many challenges we face in managing asbestos risks and in helping those who suffer from asbestos-related disease. Check out the program now and if you haven’t registered for the conference yet, take advantage of early bird prices before they end.

International Workers' Memorial Day is held on the 28 April each year to commemorate and honour those who have lost their lives to work-related injury or disease.