Managing asbestos dangers and its risks

An asbestos forum is being held in Melbourne to explore better management of asbestos and understand its impact on Australian workplaces.

Organised by federal work health and safety regulator Comcare, the forum aims to promote broader community awareness, education and understanding of asbestos and its risks.

It will highlight the continuing dangers of asbestos and also the best ways to deal with the problem, according to Comcare CEO Paul O’Connor.

“Sadly, more than 640 people died from asbestos related conditions in 2010 and more are expected to die each year,” he said.

The forum will feature a keynote address from the chairman of the Asbestos Management Review, Geoff Fary, who led a recent government review into asbestos and its impact. Fary will describe the recommendations for the development of a national strategic plan to improve asbestos awareness and management in Australia.

The forum will also hear about the Government’s plans to establish a new Office of Asbestos Safety. Formed in response to the Fary review, the head of the new office, Steve Kibble, will explain how the government will look to implement the recommendations of the review.

“This is a wide ranging forum, relevant to support groups, medical professionals, legal representatives and those with an interest in the continued development of workplace health, safety and rehabilitation,” O’Connor said.

The forum will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel, 495 Collins Street Melbourne on Monday 26 November 2012.