AWU in joint asbestos study

Date: 24 February 2009

The first stage of a detailed Cement Australia and AWU joint asbestos project has commenced in Tasmania.

More than 500 workers and ex-workers are being contacted by personal letter to register for this project.

They will take part in a detailed study to assess if anyone is suffering any asbestos affects as a result of having worked for Goliath Cement at Railton 1947-1986 when asbestos containing materials were manufactured.

Everyone who registers will be offered a range of medical tests by independent and expert doctors (in confidence), and the option to take part in the much broader study.

The overall results from this project may also be used as part of an independent medical study (Monash Unversity) designed to assess asbestos exposure and asbestos-related lung disease in those people who worked at the Railton Cement Works.

The outcome of this study will be made public and may be used across the world to help medical professionals in understanding the effects of asbestos in the longer term.

A toll-free number (1800 355 231) has been allocated to facilitate this phase of the project.

In the meantime the company and the AWU have agreed on a process of Prioritised Removal of any asbestos materials on the current factory site, and in fact most of such material has now been removed

For further information

Union:	AWU
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au/

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