Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc. (ADSA)219
Main Street
Osborne Park WA 6017
PO Box 1394, Osborne Park WA 6916
Phone: (08) 9344 4077
Fax: (08) 9345 0422
Free Call: 1800 646 690
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Website: www.asbestosdiseases.org.au
Contact: Robert Vojakovic
Mobile: 0417 175 24
Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia Inc. (ADFA)
Suite 3, Ground Floor
133 Parramatta Road
Granville NSW 2142
Phone: (02) 9637 8759
Fax: (02) 9897 3259
Free Call: 1800 006 196
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Website: www.adfa.org.au
Asbestos Diseases Support Group, Wagga Wagga and District
PO Box 8190
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Contact (1): Inge Webster
Phone: (02) 6922 3826
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Contact (2): Olga Seaman
Phone: (02) 6922 541
Bernie Banton Foundation (BBF)
PO Box 451
Castle Hill NSW 1765
Phone: (02) 8850 1223
Fax: (02) 8850 1233
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Website: www.berniebanton.com.au
Contact: Karen Banton CEO
Mobile: 0412 830 485
Asbestoswise - information and support
Ross House, 1st Floor, 247- 251 Flinders Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone:(03) 9654 9555
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Website: www.asbestoswise.com.au
Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS
41 Monash Rd.
Newborough, Victoria, 3825
Tel: 03 5127 7744
Fax: 03 5126 0354
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Website: http://www.gards.org/
Contact: Vicki Hamilton
Asbestos Diseases Society of SA Inc. (ADSSA)
77C Gibson Street, Bowden SA, 5007
(Uniting Care Wesley Complex)
Phone: (08) 8241 7297
Freecall: 1800 157 540
E-mail: www.adssa.org.au/contact-us/
Website: www.adssa.org.au
Contact: Peter Photakis, President.
Asbestos Victims Association (SA) Inc. (AVA-SA)
Level 3, 60 Waymouth Street
Adelaide SA 5000
PO Box 4066, Elizabeth South SA 5112
Phone: (08) 8212 6008
Fax: (08) 8212 7008
Free Call: 1800 665 395
Mobile: 0418 807 834
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Website: www.avasa.asn.au
Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Support Group (AMSG)
PO Box 1080,
Coolangatta Qld 4225
Website: www.amsg.com.au
Contact: Nic Bos
Phone: (07) 5599 7876
Mobile: 0417 705 534
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Asbestos Related Disease Support Society Qld Inc.
Level 6, Suite 70 Silverton Place
101 Wickham Terrace
Spring Hill QLD 4000
Phone Free Call: 1800 776 412
Fax: (07) 3832 7343
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Website: www.asbestos-disease.com.au
Contact: Ray Colbert
Mobile: 0408 758 963
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency was established on 1 July 2013 to provide a national focus on asbestos issues which goes beyond workplace safety to encompass environmental and public health concerns. The agency aims to ensure asbestos issues receive the attention and focus needed to drive change across all levels of government.
Cancer Council Tasmania
Mesothelioma: A Guide for people with cancer, their families and friends
This publication is available for people with cancer, their families and friends. Download here
Cancer Council Tasmania is a not-for-profit organisation that works to minimise the impact of cancer on all Tasmanians through advocacy, raising awareness of cancer prevention and offering advice and support for those living with cancer and their carers. Website: www.cancertas.org.au
Cancer Council Australia
Understanding Mesothelioma Booklet
This publication can be downloaded here
Work Safe Tasmania
For workplace safety and prevention information, advisory service details, Safe Work Tasmania Week and WorkCover Safety Awards, accreditation of medical practitioners and licensing of insurers. For a list of licensed asbestos removalists, or complaints regarding work carried out by an asbestos removalist and enquiries and complaints regarding asbestos in the workplace go here. Website: www.worksafe.tas.gov.au
Tasmanian Councils
For enquiries or complaints regarding the incorrect removal or disposal of asbestos in your neighborhood. Click here for: list of Tasmanian councils
Environment Protection Authority
The EPA’s statutory responsibilities under the environment legislation include assessing and regulating large industry in Tasmania, the assessment of Environmental Improvement Programs, Environmental Agreements and Environmental Audits. Website: www.epa.tas.gov.au
Unions Tasmania
Unions Tasmania is the peak body for affiliated Unions in Tasmania and provide training and support for Employee Safety representatives. They are actively campaigning for a policy of prioritised removal of asbestos in Tasmanian workplaces. Their site provides information sheets and documents on asbestos in Tasmania. Website: www.unionstas.com.au
Occupational Hygienists
The AIOH is one of the professional groups that can provide the expertise required to assess identification of the presence of asbestos. Click here for: more information on occupational hygienists in Tasmania
National Association of Testing Authorities
The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) is Australia’s national laboratory accreditation authority. This site provides technical information on asbestos identification, along with information on the accreditation process. Website: www.nata.com.au
Quit Tasmania
Smoking places people exposed to asbestos at a greatly increased risk of developing asbestos related disease. Quit Tasmania’s website has good strategies for quitting smoking. Website: www.quittas.org.au
Maurice Blackburn
Maurice Blackburn are one of Australia's leading plaintiff law firms specialising in asbestos litigation. If you have mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques or gastro-intestinal cancers you may be eligible to make a claim. Website: www.mauriceblackburn.com.au
Asbestos.com
Asbestos.com is an international site that offers a one-stop resource on all asbestos issues ranging from occupational exposure to mesothelioma treatment options. Asbestos.com is the leading asbestos and mesothelioma resource. Website: www.asbestos.com
Asbestos Disease Research Institute
The Asbestos Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) is the world’s only stand-alone research facility dedicated to asbestos-related diseases. ADRI is located in the Bernie Banton Centre in Sydney and aims to improve diagnosis and treatment, and to enhance the quality of life of those affected by asbestos-related diseases. Website: www.adri.org.au
The Australian Lung Foundation’s Multi-centre Clinical Trials Networks (MCTN)
An initiative of The Australian Lung Foundation, the MCTN is a service that allows patients to view current clinical trials predominately in the area of Lung and Respiratory disease. Membership is FREE and patients can register their interest in participating. The Lung Foundation will keep members updated with information about clinical trials that may be of interest to them. Website: www.mctn.org.au
Community Support Program
AFTF provides support for asbestos disease sufferers and their families. We have people based in the north and south of the State. Please contact us to be connected with a support worker who will call you. Our support workers can provide:
Asbestos Free Tasmania Foundation is here to provide support and referral for legal, medical and other support services. Contact AFTF and someone will call you to discuss your needs.
AFTF produces a booklet on information regarding Asbestos Related Diseases. Please contact us to ask for a copy of the booklet.
In addition, the Cancer Council offers a range of support and information services including;
Mesothelioma: A Guide for people with cancer, their families and friends
This publication is available for people with cancer, their families and friends. Download here
Looking for a licensed removalist? Click here.
Currently regulations allow for an individual to remove up to 10 m2 of bonded asbestos. Please note that AFTF does not recommend this practice.
Removal of asbestos products in Tasmania must be done in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
If you have concerns that a neighbour is removing asbestos without taking appropriate precautions please contact your local council.
If you are planning to undertake home renovations you will find some useful information on these sites:
www.asbestosawareness.com.au/asbestos-in-the-home
Licensed Removalists
It is fundamental that the company you employ to remove asbestos is fully licensed (either as Class A - friable and bonded or Class B - bonded only).
WorkSafe Tasmania provides a list of licensed removalists Classes A & B.
Note: Contact WorkSafe Tasmania on 1300 366 322 to check the asbestos contractor of your choice holds the appropriate asbestos removal license.
For details about how to apply for an asbestos removal license click here.
Disposal
There are strict rules about preparation and disposal of asbestos containing materials. We recommend you seek professional help from a removalist. To find your nearest asbestos disposal site click here
In Australia, most homes and workplaces built before 1986 contain asbestos in some form. There are around 3000 different products containing asbestos.
Does your workplace have an asbestos register? An asbestos register is the minimum required under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2012.
If you are not sure if asbestos is present in your workplace, then you need to have a risk assessment done and an asbestos register completed. Contact an A Class asbestos removalist or an occupational hygienist to carry out the work.
Testing for Asbestos
The best way to find out if it is asbestos is to have it tested by an occupational hygienist or A Class Asbestos Removalist.
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When asbestos products deteriorate or are disturbed, dangerous minute asbestos fibres and dust, that are frequently not visible to the naked eye, are released. When inhaled or swallowed the asbestos fibres can lodge in internal organs and cause cancer many decades later.Asbestos disease usually takes about two decades or more to develop after asbestos exposure occurs. Not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop an asbestos related disease. The greater the exposure to asbestos, the greater risk of disease. However, some people have developed asbestos cancer after only minor asbestos exposure.World Health Organization (WHO) states that: 'there is no minimum safe exposure level for any form of asbestos fibres.' The National Health and Medical Research Council has noted that:'....asbestos is ...highly toxic, insidious and environmentally persistent material that has killed thousands of Australians, and will kill thousands more this century.' Last week I was exposed to asbestos dust, what can I do?Unfortunately there is nothing you can do. There is a long time delay (10 – 70 years) between exposure and the onset of disease symptoms. An X-ray will not show any changes due to your recent exposure. Fortunately not everyone exposed to asbestos will go on to develop an asbestos-related disease. If the information provided here is not reassuring, please discuss your concerns with your doctor. National Asbestos Exposure Register The Government has created a register to record the details of members of the Australian community who think they may have been exposed to asbestos containing materials. The National Asbestos Exposure Register is managed by the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency. To register click here to download an online form or visit www.asbestossafety.gov.au What are the signs and symptoms of asbestos related diseases?The most common symptom is progressive shortness of breath. Other symptoms include mild to moderate chest pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Right heart failure associated with respiratory embarrassment and respiratory failure can occur as disease progresses. Asbestos can cause diseases, such as:
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Asbestos is a mineral found in rock - a compound metallic silicate that occurs naturally.
There are three main types of asbestos;
In Australia, all of the asbestos types were used in various applications up until the late 1960s.White, and some brown, asbestos usage continued until the early 1980s, including in building products.
There are two classes of asbestos types.
Friable (Class A) Asbestos is classified as any material found under ground level, as well as a few older forms of insulation used in domestic heaters and stoves and in ceiling insulations products. Ceiling insulation containing asbestos was generally used in commercial buildings. In most cases, glass fibres have replaced asbestos in today's insulations products.
Non-friable (Class B) Asbestos is a fibre-cement product. The asbestos in firmly embedded in a hardened matrix. The bonded sheets are flat, corrugated or circular tubes.
Biological Properties of Asbestos Fibres:
Asbestos Free Tasmania Foundation CEO Susan Wallace today welcomed the Attorney-General’s announcement that the State Government would make the legal process easier for sufferers of asbestos related diseases to claim compensation.
Ms Wallace said these amendments will assist in delivering a fairer, less complex and less costly legal process for those with asbestos-related disease.
“These changes will help iron out some of the difficulties asbestos disease sufferers experience trying to navigate the law in Tasmania and will make a claim for compensation through our courts less procedurally difficult, less complicated and less costly.”
In 2011 Tasmanian Government introduced a ‘no fault’ workers compensation scheme for asbestos disease sufferers. This scheme is working well. However the Common Law in Tasmania also requires review and change.
“Not all asbestos exposures are from work situations. Across the country we are seeing a new wave of asbestos diseases caused by exposure through home renovation and other circumstances.”
“At the moment we have situation where, if you can show your disease is work-related, you can access the statutory compensation scheme which has a speedy, lawyer-free process and a level of evidence much lower than that needed by a court.”
“By contrast, if you are ill because you inhaled fibres while you washed your husband’s overalls and he worked with asbestos, or if you are ill because of a home renovation done in ignorance you have way too many legal hoops to jump through to receive compensation through Tasmania’s courts.”
Provisional Damages - Common law damages claims in Tasmanian are usually settled on the basis of the 'principle of finality'. This is designed to ensure plaintiffs are unable to keep coming back for further compensation once an award has been made. The insidious nature of asbestos-related diseases is such that victims can develop asbestosis and go on to develop mesothelioma or lung cancer – separate and usually much more debilitating diseases.
“The court in Tasmania does not have the power to make a concession for provisional damages and in most cases the ‘principle of finality’ applies so if you have one disease and are unlucky enough to develop another, you have nowhere to go, ” said Ms Wallace.
Time Limitations – Currently Asbestos disease sufferers in Tasmania have to make an almost impossible choice when it comes to when to make a claim for damages. These people are ill but don’t know how severe their disease is going to be over time and don’t know if they are going to develop another asbestos related disease. Yet the law gives them just one window of time in which they can make a claim.
The twelve year rule further complicates the process.
“When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma more than 12 years has almost always elapsed since they were exposed to asbestos. It is usually 30 to 40 years.”
“At the moment their first step towards a degree of justice is to go to court to have a judge award an extension which is costly and an absolute waste of time in circumstances were the claimant may not have long to live.”
“We believe there is a very strong case for exempting dust-related diseases from the Limitation Act altogether, just as they have done in New South Wales and Queensland, and we will be putting that case to the Attorney General.”
“Clearly we will have to see the detail of the legislation but today’s announcement gives us great hope.”