National Asbestos Awareness Week

Australia's National Asbestos Awareness Week takes place between 22 – 26 November 2021, with the campaign asking Australians to Think Twice About Asbestos. This campaign reminds home renovators and tradespeople that danger from asbestos remains far from over, urging them not to grow complacent about hazards lurking in older properties.

Asbestos was banned in Australia in December 2003. Despite this ban and well-documented health risks, asbestos remains legal in many countries, including Russia, China and India, meaning imported goods or materials could still pose a risk to unsuspecting workers.

The Ongoing Health Risk of Asbestos in Australia

A report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows at least 699 people died during 2018 from the aggressive cancer mesothelioma, predominantly caused by asbestos exposure. Findings like these highlight why Asbestos Awareness Week continues to matter for public health across the nation.

Despite all forms of asbestos being banned in Australia from late 2003, hundreds of Australians receive a mesothelioma diagnosis every year. Long latency periods mean exposure decades ago can still cause serious illness today, making this hazard particularly insidious for tradespeople and homeowners alike.

Asbestos is still present in millions of homes and commercial buildings across Australia. In homes built before 1990, this hazardous material can still be found anywhere, from roofing sheets to floor tiles.

Why SafetyDocs Supports Asbestos Awareness Week

SafetyDocs by SafetyCulture actively supports National Asbestos Awareness Week, since many of our trade customers come into contact with asbestos at work, often when they least expect it. Prioritising safety on every jobsite starts with recognising where these hazards commonly appear.

We provide practical resources to help businesses manage asbestos-related hazards responsibly, supporting safety outcomes for workers exposed to legacy building materials. Our Asbestos Awareness SWMS gives tradespeople a clear, documented approach to identifying and managing risk before starting work.

Building a Culture of Awareness

National Asbestos Awareness Week plays a critical role in reminding tradespeople, renovators and building owners that safety cannot be an afterthought. Reducing risk requires ongoing vigilance, proper training and access to reliable resources for identifying hazardous materials before disturbing them.

Businesses managing sites with legacy materials should review their Asbestos Management Plans regularly to ensure health and safety obligations remain current. Doing so protects workers from unnecessary exposure while supporting compliance with Australian workplace safety standards.