While the news of Ms Helicar has done the rounds this week about Asbestos exposure and her subsequent resignation from the board of AMP.
Let's hope the Government can do their best to help our sailors and
not forget those who have had their lives cut short through asbestos related diseases in their dutiful service to our country.
Navy defies asbestos safety laws
http://www.theage.com.au/national/navy-defies-asbestos-safety-laws-20090106-7b6l.html?page=-1
AUSTRALIAN sailors are being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres because the navy continues to use contaminated parts, years after they were outlawed.
- Navy using outlawed parts
- Contaminated with asbestos
- Sailors, civilians exposed to risk
Thousands of sailors and civilian contractors are likely to have come into contact with the potentially lethal carcinogen, a report seen by Australian Defence Force chiefs says.
The ADF could face fines of more than $100 million for breaches of work safety laws and the cost could soar by millions more dollars if sailors, as predicted, contract lung cancer or other diseases as a result of their exposure.
A risk assessment prepared by defence contractor SYPAQ Systems — and obtained by The Age under freedom-of-information laws — said "thousands of personnel" could have been exposed to chrysotile asbestos, a known cancer-causing agent.
The report said the risk to personnel was significant, exposure to asbestos was almost certain and the consequences were "potentially catastrophic".
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3156
Lest We Forget