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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-07-17 Daily Xml
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ASBESTOS SAFETY

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:06): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Can the minister inform the chamber about how the government is addressing asbestos safety amongst home renovators?

The PRESIDENT: And in the House of Assembly. The honourable minister.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for her very important question. The increased popularity of do-it-yourself home renovations in Australia has led to the unfortunate consequence of exposing a new generation of people to asbestos, thereby increasing their risk of disease, illness and death arising from that exposure. Recognising this potential for increased risk, SafeWork SA continues to work with asbestos industry groups to improve awareness and understanding of asbestos in the community.

Through the Asbestos Advisory Committee, which is a tripartite committee which provides advice on asbestos issues in South Australia, SafeWork SA recently formed the asbestos and home renovator task force. This task force comprises representatives from the Asbestos Advisory Committee, the South Australian Asbestos Coalition, Consumer and Business Services, the Department for Health and Ageing, the local government sector, the Real Estate Institute of South Australia, the asbestos removal industry, and the Environment Protection Authority.

The task force provides a forum where these representative groups can exchange information and consider different options to address this community-wide issue. The group will also provide me with advice on options, including regulatory options, available to improve the management, removal and disposal of asbestos by home renovators. The task force, which held its first meeting in June, will be an important mechanism for ensuring that the community is aware of the dangers of asbestos in the home.

SafeWork SA, together with the South Australian Asbestos Coalition, also took the opportunity to spread the message about the dangers of asbestos at the recent Master Builders SA Building and Home Improvement Show, which was held at the Adelaide Showground from Friday 6 July to Sunday 8 July 2012.

A staffed Asbestos Awareness in the Home display presented the opportunity for asbestos safety experts to provide important information to home renovators about asbestos-containing materials, where to expect it and how to manage it safely. Members of the Asbestos Coalition and SafeWork SA were on hand to answer questions, provide information and offer advice about the dangers of asbestos, as well as general workplace health and safety. In addition, hundreds of publications were also distributed, particularly SafeWork SA's Asbestos and the Home Renovator and Asbestos in the Workplace. The Asbestos Coalition also hosted daily seminar presentations, which proved to be extremely popular in encouraging visitors to the display.

This is the second year the Asbestos Awareness in the Home display has been at this major event, which attracts more than 18,000 people, serving as an excellent vehicle for public education on this important issue. Now in its 10th year, it is one of Adelaide's largest events for renovation and building products. It is an excellent avenue for delivering the asbestos awareness message to the community, renovators particularly.

Through these recent initiatives, the state government remains committed to improving asbestos safety and continues to raise public awareness through the Asbestos and the Home Renovator Task Force; displays, such as the Asbestos Awareness in the Home; plus other forums and workshops, information material and support for the Asbestos Victims Memorial Day and the Asbestos Awareness Week each November. I look forward to our continued involvement in these initiatives in educating the community on this very important issue.

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