Key issues
Asbestos remains the primary carcinogenic toxin in the workplace in most countries. The illnesses caused by asbestos fibres are amongst the most serious and costly occupational diseases. Asbestos microfibres inhaled by humans are particularly dangerous. They may cause asbestosis and malignant tumours: lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Based on current scientific evidence there appears to be no safe level of exposure. This is why exposure to asbestos fibres in the air while at work should be prevented.
Even if some materials contain tightly bound fibres, these fibres can be released during removal works, because of the technical process, and cause illnesses many years later
The development of the diseases caused by asbestos can take 20-40 years. As the use of asbestos increased until the late 1970s in Europe, the yearly number of malignant diseases will continuously increase even in those countries that were first to cease the use of asbestos. In some Member States the yearly number of illnesses caused by asbestos will only reach its peak around the year 2030.
The risk of asbestos-related lung cancer is greater for smokers than for non-smokers.
How was asbestos used?
- ' Asbestos' refers to different fibrous silicates. Six different forms of asbestos i.e. the most commonly found forms, are named in Directive 2003/18/EC. These asbestos fibre types are found in a wide variety of products and materials. In addition the use and thus the predominance of asbestos-containing materials and products can vary widely from country to country depending on preferred national technologies and standards.
- A large amount of asbestos – hundreds of thousand of tons – was used especially between 1945-1990. The prohibition of asbestos use came into force at different times in the different Member States. Since 1st January 2005 the use of asbestos is banned in the whole European Union.
- Examples of material or products containing asbestos fibres include thermal insulating products for fire protection such as insulating ceiling tiles/board. Asbestos containing materials were also commonly used on pipe work and particularly on boilers for insulation. Asbestos paper, felt, cardboard, rope, textiles, fire blankets and string can still be found. It was used in friction products such as brakes, plates, and thus can be found in lifts, and transport machinery (including ships, airplanes, trains, tanks and other off-road vehicles) or in belt drives and conveyor belts of various engines.
Additionally asbestos fibres were included in products such as textured coatings (walls and ceilings), various adhesives and resins and in floor covering such as vinyl floor tiles. - Products containing asbestos cement were used as roofing (sheets/slates/tiles) or as cladding on buildings and as water pipes/drain pipes and guttering.
- Sprayed asbestos was used very often as a layer of fire-protection and thermal insulation in industrial, public and private buildings, on steel and concrete structures, especially on walls and ceilings, but also in boilers and chimneys.
This was one of the most dangerous forms of utilization, since sprayed asbestos is extremely friable and therefore its fibres are very likely to be emitted into the air. - A large amount of asbestos can be found on formerly constructed types of seagoing ships – up to several tons - and on airplanes.
Asbestos decontamination
During asbestos decontamination the asbestos containing materials are removed from buildings or different constructions under controlled conditions, after which they are collected, stored, and disposed of as hazardous waste. The place in which the activity takes place has to be clearly demarcated using warning signs.
The most appropriate way of asbestos decontamination depends on the original mode of asbestos use.
Main practical issues and challenges associated with the removal of existing asbestos from buildings, plant and equipment are:
- Identification of asbestos in premises.
- Concern over inadequate work methods, some of which could lead to dry stripping; it was recognised that effective control was not easy, but was vital.
- Proper enclosure of the work and monitoring of the enclosure.
- Provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment/Respiratory Protective Equipment (PPE/RPE) and face-fit testing.
- Training of operatives.
- Waste removal only by authorisation.
Other issues include identifying companies working with asbestos, the problems of asbestos-contaminated land and the certification or licensing of contractors.
Important Note: National legislation may include additional requirements to those mentioned here. You should check with your national enforcing authority.
European best practice guidelines
This practical guide is issued for labour inspectors competent for occupational safety and health issues and for employers and workers engaged in work exposing them to asbestos risks.
The objective of this good practices guide is
- to help identify asbestos and asbestos products during use, maintenance and servicing of plant, equipment and buildings and raise awareness of their presence;
- to describe good practice on how to remove asbestos (inter alia by dust suppression, enclosure and protective equipment) and how to handle asbestos-cement products and wastes;
- to encourage an approach to protective equipment and clothing which takes into account human factors and individual variability.
The guide intends to
- facilitate the task of employers;
- assist the health and safety and occupational medicine experts in monitoring these workplaces;
- inform workers and their representatives of the dangers inherent to this work;
- support the inspection authorities in their monitoring of these workplaces
- provide examples of good and best practice, collected internationally, which will be described explicitly.
The main target groups for the guide are employers, employees and labour inspectors.
For the employer, the guide provides state of the art technical, organisational and personal safety and protective measures which he/she is obliged to apply.
For the employee, the guide gives information about protective measures, focuses on key points the worker should be trained on, and motivates to actively contribute to safe and healthy working conditions.
For the inspector, the guide describes the key aspects that should be examined during an inspection visit.
