CONSTRUCTION TRAINING FUND
THE BUILDERS CHOICE Training & Development
Reflections & CTF
ensure WA the first state with mandatory asbestos awareness training
O
n average one person passes away every 12 hours in Australia from the terminal, asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma, and it is estimated over 4000 people every year from the effects of asbestos. Australians continue to live with the legacy of asbestos and disasters such as cyclone Seroja and the recent Wooroloo bushfires reignite the dangers of exposure to its deadly fibres. With the highest recorded rates of mesothelioma in the world and likely the most in situ asbestos of all the states, Western Australians feel the full force of this hidden foe. There is a Perth-based organisation bringing about change as they actively reduce the ongoing impact of asbestos on the community. Reflections has partnered with Construction Training Fund (CTF) and the wider building and construction industry to ensure pre-apprentices and trainees entering the workforce are made aware of asbestos and its risks. “When my son started a pre-apprenticeship in 2017, I was curious to know what he would be taught about asbestos and the potential health risks associated with exposure to its deadly fibres,” explains Reflections Founder and Director, Jo Morris. “My father, Barry Knowles, who knew nothing of the dangers of asbestos when he undertook his apprenticeship, ultimately paying for this lack of knowledge with his life. I do not want history repeating itself in my family – or any family.” THE TEAM
Phone: (08) 9244 0100 www.ctf.wa.gov.au
32 The Builders Choice Magazine – September 2021
Promoting a curriculum review, Reflections has worked with Construction Training Fund to develop and imbed a core unit into the Cert II for Pathways to Building & Construction, making Western Australia the first state with mandatory training for preapprentices and trainees. Chatting to Ben O’Shea on daily talk show The West Live, CTF Director of Skills Development, Rob Berryman, informed listeners that “what we need to do is educate the younger entrants into the construction industry, to ensure they are aware of asbestos, because they could be moving though to renovation work or maintenance work where asbestos is really prevalent.” Further to this, Jo stated that “this awareness needs to be spread to the community to ensure anyone likely to be exposed to asbestos fibres, whether skilled tradies or home renovators, are made aware and know what they can do to reduce the risk to themselves and those around them. “We look forward to the next step… working with the other states and stakeholders to embed asbestos awareness training in the Certificate IV across all affected industries.” Reflections has also developed an AR resource which is available for training and site inductions. Contact Jo Morris for more information – jomo@reflections.org.au or 0407 255 221.
