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.

The town of Wittenoom, WA, is infamous for its deadly levels of asbestos. More than 2,000 former works and family members of Wittenoom have contracted an asbestos-related disease, and unfortunately, since there is no cure for many of these diseases, many have died. This death toll continues to rise, despite the efforts of various councils and organisations to raise awareness.

The state government withdrew Wittenoom’s town status in 2007 due to the dangers that asbestos posed to the citizens. Whilst most of the citizens were willing to relocate to a safer area, there are still residents who have chosen to remain in this deadly town. The government has reconvened the Wittenoom Closure Steering Committee in an attempt to drive the remaining citizens out of Wittenoom.

Paul Rosair, Director General of the Department of Regional Development and Lands in WA, believes there are five permanent citizens currently residing in Wittenoom. There are also Indigenous communities and tourists.

Currently the Western Australian government has no power to forcefully remove citizens from their freehold land. Mr Rosair has suggested that offering compensation packages may make the idea seem more appealing, however the citizens thus far have refused any offers. The government could start looking into the enactment of legislation that enables them to remove citizens from their lands. Until the town is completely free of inhabitants, work regarding the removal and destruction of asbestos cannot commence.

The recent death of Ernie Bridge, WA Labor MP, serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers that asbestos poses. It is believed that Bridge contracted the asbestos-related disease in his visits to the town for business matters. 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.

In Australia mesothelioma compensation (or asbestos compensation in Australia, or asbestosis compensation in Australia) is available to those who unfortunately do contract mesothelioma. Mesothelioma compensation, asbestos compensation and asbestosis compensation are claims brought about by people who have worked with asbestos and who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos conditions