Asbestos in Hong Kong

Asbestos in Hong Kong Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims

22-23 November 2013

Introduction of Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims (ARIAV)

founded in 1981 a non-profit-making charitable

organizationformed by a group of work injury victims,

occupational diseases sufferers and families of industrial fatalities.

Goalsa) to fight for the rights of work injury

victims, occupational diseases sufferers and families of industrial fatalities,

b) to urge the Government to improve the standard of occupational safety and health so as to protect the workers,

c) to promote the awareness of occupational safety and health among the general public of Hong Kong.

The use of Asbestos in Hong Kong

The use of asbestos in Hong Kong

cars’ braking system

electrical products

the insulation of the cable in the power station and transformer station


Boiler

incineration plant building and chimney

The use of asbestos in Hong KongHousingasbestos based grille panel in balcony and staircase.


corrugated cement sheet for the roof in villages

Actions in 2013

Ma Tong Village Asbestos Issue in Jan

Media exposed that asbestos were disposed illegally in Ma Tong Village.


some asbestos had been cleaned; but some were covered by canvas.


everywhere were asbestos fragment


Petitioned to the Environmental Protection Department


Meeting with Environmental Protection Department Officer

Shek Mun Hong Kong Bank Building Construction Site Issue in Feb

Media exposed a construction site used asbestos fireproof carpets

Shek Mun Hong Kong Bank Building Construction Site Issue in Feb

Workers were assigned to clean asbestos scrap by hands

We promoted asbestos hazards to the workers outside the construction site

Workers told us they worried about their health

We assisted the involved workers to do a body check

Urged government to enhance disposing asbestos legally and ban all kinds of asbestos

Yin Kong Village Issue in Aug

Media exposed Yin Kong Village’s asbestos problem


We found a huge size of asbestos sheet

Used as hoardings to separate the fields


Some had been seriously damaged



Meeting with Environment Protection Department and share our suggestions

Press conference about Banning all kinds of asbestos in Oct

Since the government do not announce which building includes asbestos, people cannot protect themselves

Petition and submit a letter to legislative council members in Oct

Conference on Joining Hands to Eliminate Asbestos Hazards in Nov

- Conference was launched by Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board

- Share our suggestions

Conference on Joining Hands to Eliminate Asbestos Hazards in Nov

Our rehabilitation service for the patients and their carers

Media’s interview

Media concern the asbestos present situation

We assisted them to talk to the patients

Media’s interview

Grille panel includes asbestosInvestigated in Yin Kong Village with media

Totally ban asbestos in the coming Jun

X useX supply X importX transhipment

Asbestosis Compensation


Before 1981, asbestosis compensation were from government, that’s an one-off compensation

In 1981, The Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board was established

Asbestosis who were suffered after 1981 could get compensation from the board by one-off or two-season


Since the patients who suffered before 1981 or after 1981 had different compensation, workers request an equal compensation treatment for all asbestosis


•From one-off compensation to monthly compensation

•Adjust the compensation items

Fighting result in 1993


Request to improve the compensation amount in 2011


Present compensation items1. pain, suffering and loss of amenities HKD

3,220/month2. Compensation for period prior to date of

diagnosis3. Compensation for care and attention4. Expenses for medical treatment5. Expenses for medical appliances6. Compensation for death 7. Funeral expenses, HKD 70,000

Asbestosis rehabilitation

Research the rehabilitation needs of asbestosis in 1996-1998

result: they had Physical and psychological needs

Set up a rehabilitation service (Fun in the community )for asbestosis in 1998, include

- exercise - healthy talks - psychological support - gathering - entertainment


Healthy talks


exercise

entertainment

Supporting Service to caregivers

Start in 2009To improve patients and caregivers life

quality Service areas - intensive counseling service - hotline service - counseling - talks - support group

Supporting Service to caregivers

Medical Surveillance Programme

Start in 2011

Encourage workers to do a lung checking, and protect pneumoconiosis and mesothelioma disease

The endThank you!

The existing asbestos problem in Hong Kong


Private buildings include asbestos


Asbestos are used generally in villages


Problem

•people re-used asbestos in a wrong way, like rails and covers


Problem•Workers dismantle, collect and pack the asbestos in a wrong way•Workers broke the large size asbestos sheet into small pieces, the dust will split up


Public is lack of knowledge of asbestos’ dangerous

For the demolition, no compulsory examination to the contractor

Contractor will ignore to use a specify process to dismantle and package the asbestos

When asbestos was been founded, the contractor just need to report

Our planning

Our planning

Our planning1. Keep monitoring the legislation process of banning all kinds of asbestos

2. Request the government to make a general survey and list out all of asbestos buildings

3. Urge government to label all asbestos buildings and materials

Our planning

4. Push government to build up a exam and report system before contractor to dismantle asbestos buildings.

5. Public education and promotion (target for minorities and villagers )

6. Fight for improve the compensation and service, e.g. palliative service

Our planning

7. Work with Chinae.g. education, organizing skills and sharing

Thank you !

Documents

Asbestos in Hong Kong