Introduction

The SLIC Campaign on Asbestos

Labour inspectorates of the European Union have launched a European campaign on asbestos.

In the second half of 2006 an inspection campaign to protect workers’ health will start in all Member States of the European Union, targeting workplaces where maintenance, demolition, removal or disposal of asbestos containing materials take place. The inspections will be carried out by the national Labour Inspectorates (and when appropriate by the Labour Health Authorities).

The objective of the campaign is to monitor the implementation of the Directive 2003/18/EC, the provisions of which all Member States of the European Union had to implement by 15 April 2006 at the latest.

The main focus of the campaign is on the protection of workers in maintenance-demolition-removal activities and waste disposal.

The campaign targets:

• Refurbishment/removal of weakly bound asbestos and other asbestos products
• Refurbishment/removal of asbestos cement products
• Waste disposal

Issues addressed include general and organisational measures, special working methods, access to and demarcation of working area, personal protective equipment, hygienic measures, securing/disposal of waste, internal supervision.

To raise awareness in the sector the inspection campaign will be preceded by national information and training measures in the first half of 2006 supported by publicity initiatives in association with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

A "Good Practices Guide” that includes the proper working methods involving asbestos will be made available to employers, workers and labour inspectors.

The campaign will result in a “Member State Report” which summarises the main results and will give an overview on the implementation of the EU Directives.

This “Member State Report” refers to the directive’s key provisions: