Homeowners, renovators and tradies now have a step-by-step guide to help them identify asbestos and to prevent them from being exposed to asbestos fibres. The service will be the only one of its kind in Australia.

The Asbestos Education Committee has launched the important resource in partnership with the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute and has been supported by the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities.

With 14 Australians dying of asbestos-related diseases each week, and another 13 diagnosed with mesothelioma, one of the greatest threats to the health of homeowners and tradespeople is disturbing products that contrains asbestos.

According to the Asbestos Education Committee, asbestos products are still present in one third of Australian homes.  

Asbestos products are generally found in homes built or renovated before to 1987. Disturbing products that contain asbestos can release fibres that can then be inhaled, and cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.  There is no cure for mesothelioma.

'The 'Healthy House Checklists' are is designed to empower homeowners and renovators to better identify asbestos, and to help them manage the materials safely.

The checklists include

- product images

- lists of possible locations both inside and outside homes

- the types of products that might be in homes 

- whether or not the asbestos needs maintenance, repair or removal.

Asbestos Awareness Campaign Ambassador, Cherie Barber, knows better than most the danders of asbestos. A professional renovator, and founder and CEO of Renovating For Profit, Barber tragically lost her grandfather to mesothelioma. 

In launching the 'Healthy House Checklists', Barber said, “The health risks to anyone working on domestic properties when asbestos materials are disturbed is something every Australian needs to take seriously because asbestos doesn’t discriminate.

“The Healthy House Checklist provides a practical guide for homeowners enabling them to conduct a simple step-by-step easy to follow visual inspection of their property."

Peter Dunphy, Founding Chair of the Asbestos Education Committee said tradies are particularly at risk because they can come into contact with asbestos in their everyday work. 

“Tradespersons are particularly at risk because all too often they’ve come from a culture where asbestos risks have been ignored,” he said.

Special checklists for tradies provide instructions on how to conduct a visual inspection. Homeowners and tradies are encouraged to have an inspection conducted by a licensed asbestos assessor if they suspect asbestos-containing materials may be in need of repair or removal.

Visit asbestosawareness.com.au to download checklists and fact sheets.

See also:

What do you know about asbestos?

Canberra's asbestos disaster

Mr. Fluffy move on