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The widespread use of asbestos in Victoria in the 1960's,
70's and 80's, particularly in building and construction, meant
that workers involved in asbestos removal, renovation or
maintenance work that disturbs existing 'in situ' asbestos would
remain at risk. Plumbers particularly are at the sharp end of
the problem.
Executive Director of the MPMSAA Mr Herbert said, "SILENT
and insidious, asbestos kills not just those who work with it, but
it can also kill those who know people working with it, if the
workers don't take the proper precautions."
"This can lead to the tragic situation where the wives
and children of plumbers who come in contact with asbestos and
transport it home on their clothing can be killed by the deadly
fibres."
"As a young wife Barbara O'Shea washed her husband's work
clothes without realising they harboured the deadly asbestos fibres
and dust that caused her death more than 20 years
later".
According to the Asbestos Information Support Service Inc (AISS)
it is estimated that between 2003 and 2020 more than 13,000
Australians will die from mesothelioma and a further 40,000 will
develop asbestosis, with a 90% chance of developing full-blown
mesothelioma over time.
Mr Herbert said that it is commonplace for plumbers to encounter
asbestos in the course of their work and the vital point is
asbestos doesn't need continual contact over a long period to do
its damage. Just one brief encounter can be enough.
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Mr Herbert said that many routine repairs, renovation and
maintenance activities - even putting in a new heating system - can
disrupt asbestos, releasing millions of fibres into a home, school
or office.
Asbestos-cement products that may be found around the home
include:
- Flat or corrugated sheeting (commonly called fibro or AC
sheeting)
- Water or flue pipes
- Roof shingles
- Flexible building boards
- Imitation brick cladding
Other materials that may contain firmly bound asbestos fibres
include:
- Textured paint
- Vinyl floor tiles
- The backing of linoleum floor coverings
Mr Herbert said, one of the major problems is that there is a
low awareness of the dangers of asbestos removal in the building
industry which is basically made up of small sub-contractors.
"Corrective action must be taken wherever the risk arises
for asbestos fibres to escape into the environment".
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Products Containing Asbestos
Please click here
for a list of Asbestos Containing Materials Plumbers may come
across.
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