Employment Law

An asbestos warning for home renovators

doctor-by-luigi-diamanti-edit.jpg

Adelaide injury lawyer Tim White says asbestos buildings pose a threat to home renovators.


 At Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers we have clients who have contracted asbestos related diseases, which are often fatal, after being exposed to the poisonous dust during home renovations.

Thousands of people have been exposed this way. South Australia has one of the world’s highest per capita rates of Mesothelioma in the world, and it can only be stopped by education.

This was brought to attention by Labor Senator Lisa Singh, in this article.

In many cases, the substance was used in the pipes, roofing and walls of older homes. In that form it rarely poses a threat, but when broken it becomes a dangerous dust with disastrous consequences. Building professionals know this, but you’re average handy man who is doing his own home alterations may be unaware of the risks.

Senator Singh rightly suggests that popular DIY renovation TV shows should do more to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos buildings, to prevent an illness crisis.

All asbestos buildings should be registered here so when people work on these sites, they are aware of the presence of asbestos materials.

New Occupational Health and Safety legislation will be introduced across the nation in January next year. There will be significant changes relating to the duty of care owed by employers to employees.

Potential liability arising from home renovations is a perfect example of the impact the legislation changes will have on many industries.

If you have an asbestos related disease, register here or contact Tim White to find out about your rights to compensation. Contact (08) 8212 1077.

Click here for more information about asbestos diseases claims.