November is National Asbestos Awareness Month and Council is proud to be supporting this important initiative, by encouraging residents and workers in our region to learn how to recognise and properly dispose of asbestos and asbestos-contaminated waste.
Many houses, buildings and outbuildings in our region were built before 1987 and on these older structures, everything from renovations to peeling paint poses a risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is still present in millions of homes, as well as public and commercial buildings, across Australia – being in found in 1 in 3 homes.
Every year in Australia, there are an estimated 4,000 deaths from past exposure to asbestos. This is one of the highest death rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world and is why this November we’re reminding everyone of the dangers of damaged, disturbed or deteriorated asbestos
People working on homes built before 1990 can stay safe if they know where asbestos is, if they don’t disturb or damage it, and if they seek professional help to locate, manage or remove it.
In the Snowy Monaro asbestos can only be disposed of at Cooma Landfill or other licenced facilities. Doing the wrong thing with asbestos waste puts your health at risk, as well as that of waste workers and the people around you.
Call ahead before you bring asbestos waste to Cooma Landfill so our workers can prepare their safety gear and advise on loads. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Reminders of what not to do:
× Don’t put asbestos in your wheelie bins
× Don’t mix asbestos with other types of waste and take to the landfill
× Never ever conceal asbestos in waste loads taken to the landfill
× Do not bury asbestos on your land or anyone else’s land
