During the upgrade of Glen Waverly railway line in Melbourne, asbestos fears have arisen as Metro Trains and the Firewood Association of Australia have confirmed that old wooden sleepers contaminated with asbestos are being stolen and used as firewood. The Firewood Association has already banned their members from selling sleepers because some apparently pose health risks when burned. Despite this, and security at the railway line, these sleepers are being stolen.

These asbestos fears were confirmed when the association began to receive calls from people burning these sleepers saying they are suffering from bronchitis and asthma related symptoms. The asbestos used in train brakes and brake locks are now trapped on the exterior of these sleepers and when burned the asbestos combines with the ash and creates a very easy way for asbestos fibres to become airborne and inhaled.

This is seriously dangerous as even inhaling a small amount of asbestos can lead to a person contracting asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. The number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma is expected to rise in Australia over the next decade which is worrying as 660 cases of mesothelioma were recorded in 2007. Australian states including NSW, Victoria and South Australia have introduced legislation to assist those suffering asbestos conditions pursue an asbestos compensation claims in Australia, including a specific legislation for Victorian asbestos compensation claims.

Asbestos has long moved on from only claiming the lives of miners and tradesmen, the toxic substance now affects people in their own homes. Due to heavy use of asbestos in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s, many workers were working with asbestos every day and this would follow them home to their families.

The latest potential victims of mesothelioma are young couples who are undertaking home renovations on homes built before 1988 and are unaware that they may be disturbing deadly asbestos which could have fatal effects to their health. It is thought that one in three homes in Australian contain asbestos thus it is not surprising that 35.7% of female mesothelioma cases were caused by exposure to asbestos during home renovations.

There have been 4,700 deaths from mesothelioma in Australia since recording began in the 80s and despite asbestos being banned in 2003, it is estimated that this number is expected to rise. Australia has a National Asbestos Register where people may record their exposure to asbestos; this can assist people if they need to make an asbestos compensation claim in Australia, such as a mesothelioma compensation claim through Australian Courts.

Asbestos has once again put Australians at risk, this time resulting in a police force in Perth relocating.

Like millions of old Australian homes and buildings, the Fremantle Police Complex in Western Australia contains asbestos, a known carcinogen which, if inhaled, can cause asbestos related diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Due to the health risks that are associated with asbestos disturbance, Australian staff at the Perth station have been forced to relocate for proposed air conditioning replacement, as the roof where the air ducts are contained is contains asbestos.

According to the Herald Sun, police services will not be disrupted during the construction work.

Safety measure such as these are extremely important, as Australia currently has one of the highest incidences of mesothelioma despite the official ban of asbestos use Australia-wide in 2004. This is because Australia was the highest user of asbestos per capita between around 1950 and 1980.

As such, many Australian states including NSW, Victoria and South Australia have introduced legislation to assist those suffering asbestos conditions pursue an asbestos compensation claim, such as a mesothelioma compensation claim in Australia.

Fears have arisen over the presence of asbestos in electricity meter boards in older Australian homes. It has been estimated that around two million homes built before 1983 contain asbestos around their electricity meter boards. The danger associated with this asbestos is that once disturbed it can become deadly. Dust is easily disturbed when drilling old metres and installing new electricity meters.

Last week Endeavour Energy was first to raise concern of this issue after reports from workers revealed asbestos around electric meters in homes they were working on. Endeavor Energy responded by issuing a ‘hazard alert’ to their staff, warning them to wear safety marks when working on these older homes.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) in New South Wales spoke out by saying the advice given by Endeavour Energy was inadequate and they failed to notify the households of these asbestos fears. The ETU advised all of their members not to work on any electricity boards which could potentially contain asbestos. This advice was extended further in New South Wales and the ACT to workers from companies such as Ausgrid and AGL.

Lack of knowledge can lead people to contracting asbestos related diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. The ETU is calling for the state government to step in and take action and with mesothelioma expected to peak within the next decade hopefully the government answers these calls. Many electrical works have made asbestos compensation claims in Australia, including mesothelioma compensation claims in Australia, following their exposure during their working life leading to their contraction of an asbestos condition.