It has been discovered that a number of facilities and areas in Hakea Prison, Western Australia, contain asbestos. The prison was constructed before the 1970s; buildings of that period are likely to contain asbestos.

Unstable asbestos was found in the ceilings of the prison by WorkSafe. Shadow Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia has stated that this issue needs to be addressed immediately; the areas contaminated with asbestos need to be evacuated, and removal of the dangerous fibres by experts should commence as soon as possible.

However, issues arise due to the fact that the prison is currently at full capacity. This is because the prison is currently housing juveniles from the Banksia Hill detention centre as a result of the riots that took place in January. Therefore, evacuation of the premises is not an option at this moment in time. The Corrective Services Minister, Joe Francis, has submitted that they must simply wait for the juveniles to be returned to Banksia Hill before they can move the Hakea prisoners from their cells.

It is important that the officials act efficiently on this important issue. Asbestos, once disturbed, releases fine asbestos particles in the air. When these dangerous particles are inhaled, they embed themselves into the lung, and this can lead to mesothelioma other asbestos conditions. Such diseases do not simply affect people who come into direct contact with asbestos fibres; the thin particles can be carried home and affect the wives, children and family members of those who have been exposed to asbestos.

There has been an asbestos scare for workers at the Port Stanvac refinery demolition site in South Australia as last week an excavator unearthed a great amount of toxic asbestos. This posed a health risk to 12 workers who are believed to be in the area at the time this asbestos was disturbed. Exposure to asbestos can lead to these workers contracting asbestos related diseases such as asbestos related pleural disease or even mesothelioma.

While an exclusion zone has been established there are still fears these workers have not been correctly decontaminated. Tests on the worker’s clothing confirmed this with traces of asbestos being found. The site is believed to have lots of asbestos below the ground and workers are fearful they are being dangerously exposed as there is a lack of protective procedures in place.

Mobil has spoken out about the situation saying they take all the necessary steps to ensure their worker’s health and safety is protected. Despite this the construction workers’ union was set to inspect the site today and also speak to concerned workers. SafeWork South Australia is also investigating the situation.

Asbestos has affected the lives of many South Australians. Unfortunately, many people in South Australia have been diagnosed with asbestos conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

In South Australia, the Government implemented specific legislation to assist those suffering asbestos conditions in South Australia make a compensation claim. Asbestos compensation in South Australia, including mesothelioma compensation in South Australia and asbestosis compensation in South Australia, benefits from such legislation.

Asbestos claims in South Australia are brought in the South Australian District Court.

The Rockhampton Regional Council has confirmed that after 26 April 2013, Gracemere Landfill in Queensland will no longer be accepting asbestos, material containing asbestos and other hazardous waste. This is because the landfill is coming to the end of its life and therefore will no longer be able to fulfill the requirement of having such hazardous waste buried at least 2 metres under ground.

This requirement for burying asbestos is extremely important to ensure that nobody is dangerously exposed to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is a major health risk which can lead to people contracting asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma in Queensland and asbestosis in Queensland unfortunately is at a relatively high level as compared to incidences around the world. Mesothelioma in Australia is also at a very high level comparatively.

After receiving calls from concerned workers, Unions Tasmania is calling for confirmation that asbestos removal is being undertaken safely at National Broadband Network (NBN) worksites across Tasmania, Australia. Asbestos-lined telephone pits are being pulled up as part of the NBN rollout, which is being undertaken in 45 Tasmanian towns.

Two weeks ago after receiving a phone call from an NBN worker expressing concerns over asbestos exposure, Kevin Harkins, the secretary for Unions Tasmania, made a report to Workplace Standards. After receiving another call this week from another NBN worker over similar asbestos fears, Harkins contacted Workplace Standards asking for them to look into the situation thoroughly.

Workplace Standards inspector has confirmed that asbestos is being dealt with safely and carefully during the NBN rollout, with a number of precautions being taken to ensure the asbestos poses no health risk. These include dry pits being sprayed with water PVA adhesive, workers wearing all correct protective clothing and asbestos removal signs being erected to warn the public.

Caution when removing asbestos is extremely important as even minimal exposure to asbestos can lead to an individual contracting an asbestos related disease such as asbestosis, asbestos related pleural disease or mesothelioma.

There have been many asbestos compensation claims in Tasmania following residents in Tasmania being diagnosed with asbestos related conditions. Asbestos compensation claims in Australia are often a good indication as to how many people in Australia are being diagnosed with asbestos related conditions.