THE Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) has agreed to improve the collection of information on mesothelioma after recently holding its fifth annual meeting in Melbourne.
The current collection was useful in the past, but no longer adequately takes into account changing circumstances, according to the ASCC.
The ASCC has agreed to publish an annual report on the number of new cases of mesothelioma and the number of deaths, including trends over time.
The ASCC will also report on past exposure to asbestos of people being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
The Commonwealth, all states and territories, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) have agreed to a plan for the future collection of information on mesothelioma.
“The ASCC will undertake a literature review in 2007-08 to inform debate on the risks of asbestos removal versus the risks of asbestos staying in situ,” ASCC chairman Bill Scales said.