30/12/03
All new uses of asbestos and products containing asbestos will be banned in Australian workplaces from the beginning of the New Year.
Acting Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection Bob Kucera said Western Australia had a tragic historical connection with asbestos and the Gallop Government was committed to reducing the incidence of diseases related to the potentially deadly substance.
"Each year hundreds of Australians die from asbestos-related diseases, and the incidence in WA is particularly high with Wittenoom's sad legacy," Mr Kucera said.
On January 1, 2004 it will become illegal in all States and Territories to store, sell, install or re-use any products containing asbestos, including vehicle brake pads and gaskets and the prohibition will be complemented by a customs regulation banning imports and exports.
Mr Kucera said the ban would not apply to asbestos products and materials already in place, but non-asbestos alternatives must be used when they needed to be replaced.
"For example, if your vehicle's brake pads contain asbestos, you will not be required to change them on January 1," he said.
"However, when they need replacing, the ban will apply from that time on, and non-asbestos brake pads must be used.
"Any stockpiles of asbestos-containing products must be safely disposed of in line with applicable State and Territory regulations."
Asbestos Diseases Society President Robert Vojakovic welcomed the ban as very important for the environment and said removing the importation of asbestos would go a long way towards elimination of asbestos diseases in the future.
"The Gallop Labor Government is one of the first in the Commonwealth to pass the complementary legislation to remove asbestos from the WA community," Mr Vojakovic said.
Mr Kucera said in some industrial applications, where there would be much greater risks to safety if asbestos was not used, applications could be made for very limited exemptions.
"The WA Government is also ready to ratify an International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Asbestos," the Minister said.
"The ILO Convention on asbestos is a set of standards agreed to by member countries when those countries have established the laws and practices required to comply with the standards."
Mr Kucera said the ILO Convention would apply to all activities involving the exposure of workers to asbestos and provide measures to prevent workers from being exposed to the hazards associated with it.
"Over recent years, the past use of asbestos has proven to be the cause of many deaths and an enormous amount of pain and suffering," he said.
"The Gallop Government is creating safer communities and making our State's workplaces safer is a crucial part of our strategy."
More details on the chrysotile asbestos ('white' asbestos) ban are available from the WorkSafe website at http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au or by phoning 1300 307 877.
Minister's office: 9222 9211
