Posted on March 30, 2020
Posted on March 30, 2020
Each year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) dedicates Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) April 1-7 to increasing awareness of asbestos and preventing exposure by bringing together experts and victims from around the world to share, learn, and take action. To view all 7 days of GAAW content, please click here. We’d also like to thank the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) for sharing it’s No Time to Lose campaign resources on preventing asbestos exposure and to McOnie for their commitment in the international distribution of the GAAW press release. Be sure to follow the conversation on social media with our GAAW hashtag: #2020GAAW.
*COVID-19 INFORMATION AND AWARENESS: To protect your family and stop the spread, learn more about World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and best practices during this outbreak here*
Today, April 7th, is the seventh and final day of Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW). We use today to honor the warriors fighting asbestos diseases and remember those we have lost. We would also like to use today to remember Paul, an amazing Mesothelioma Warrior who was deeply loved and respected by ADAO and others. Read his story, “Dust into Gold: Banning Asbestos Is Good Business.”
If you can, please use today to light a candle to honor someone you know. We do this with heavy hearts, but also with hope for a brighter future without asbestos.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week is a reminder each year of how important education is in the effort to prevent asbestos exposure, disease, and death. You can make a difference. Take action by connecting with ADAO on Facebook and sharing all #2020GAAW content with your social network.
Time has taught us that “It Takes a Village.” We are grateful for the village that we have built. Thanks to them, we have pushed the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act of 2019 through the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, we have started and spread education and advocacy efforts around the world, we have raised awareness about the importance of knowledge and prevention, and so much more. We have also built a village to support those who are fighting asbestos diseases and a space for those to honor the ones they have lost.
As we continue through this year, please also take the time on April 28th to honor Workers’ Memorial Day. About 125 million people worldwide remain at risk of occupational exposure to asbestos each year. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, but asbestos-caused diseases are 100% preventable.
In order to protect yourself and fellow employees, you can follow IOSH’s eight step plan to avoid asbestos exposure:
- Know where it is
- Record where it is
- Complete a risk assessment
- Create a management plan
- Plan to work on ACMs
- Inform those who are potentially exposed
- Train workers
- Investigate asbestos incidents
To learn more, download IOSH’s No Time to Lose Asbestos fact guide.
Thank you to everyone for their participation in this year’s Global Asbestos Awareness Week! We are deeply grateful for the support of our contributors and those who joined the GAAW conversation around the world. An asbestos ban
Special thanks to our 2020 Gold Sponsor Motley Rice LLC.
Together, we make change happen.
Linda Reinstein
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