CFMEU Construction marks the launch of Asbestos Awareness Week (Nov 21-25) with the call for safe removal of all Asbestos Containing Materials by 2030 and for the Australian Government to use its influence to secure a worldwide ban on asbestos.

 “Australia had the highest per capita use of asbestos in the world from the 1950s until the 1980s and the result is that asbestos is still claiming lives in Australia and sadly will do so for many years to come,” said CFMEU Construction National Secretary, Dave Noonan. 

“Increasing awareness of the dangers of asbestos is a way of both honouring those workers and ensuring the mistakes of the past will not be revisited on the future generations of workers and their families.”

The demand for safe elimination of all Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) by 2030 is one of 6 priority issues identified by Australian unions for dealing with asbestos in this country.  Unions argue that safe removal should start with public buildings, any areas where ACMs will be disturbed and eventually all ACMs.

“Unions are also demanding full disclosure of all Asbestos Containing Materials dump sites; an exposure register for workers and the setting up an effective Authority to oversee all of these matters,” Mr Noonan said.

 “At the same time, we need to be part of the international effort to stop the use of asbestos and save lives.

 “It is unconscionable for the asbestos industry to simply shift its operations to the developing world, knowing the terrible effects of its product on users.

 “The Gillard Government needs to push towards a worldwide ban on the export of asbestos.”

 Mr Noonan said that Canada – which banned asbestos use on its own soil - was still producing and exporting Chrysotile asbestos to countries in the Asia-pacific region, along with Russia, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Kazakhstan.

 “Asbestos being used today in construction in countries like India or Thailand will be claiming lives for decades to come. The widespread ignorance around the use of asbestos in many Asian countries, and the immoral behaviour by exporters, means that thousands of people will die needless and painful deaths.

 “Australia should use its international influence to push for a total ban on the export of asbestos.”

Earlier this year Australia ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention concerning the Safe Use of Asbestos – an additional protection for Australian workers.

 “This ratification means Australia’s compliance with these important standards will be regularly reviewed by the ILO supervisory bodies,” Mr Noonan said.

 In June, Canada voted against the listing of Chrysotile among the dangerous substances that require “prior informed consent” to be exported to another country at the Rotterdam Convention meeting in Geneva. Canada was the only country out of 143 to oppose the listing, effectively barring a total ban on asbestos.

• For a full list of activities during this Asbestos Awareness week, including Ray’s Ride from Toowoomba to Brisbane (from today Nov 21, supported by CFMEU Qld) and the CFMEU BBQ on the banks of the Yarra on Nov 25, go to ACTU Events
• Re Australian Ratification of ILO Convention on Safe Use of Asbestos, CFMEU News Archive