SAFE WORK WITH ASBESTOS –SAFE WORK WITH ASBESTOS –EXAMPLE FROM SLOVENIAEXAMPLE FROM SLOVENIA

PETRA VRECKO, MSc.PETRA VRECKO, MSc.UndersecretaryUndersecretary

Bucharest, 20 – 21 October Bucharest, 20 – 21 October 20052005

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

ASBESTOS means the following fibrous silicates:

ACTINOLITE, CAS No. 77536-66-4

GUENERITE (AMOSITE), CAS No. 12172-73-5

ANTOPHYLLITE, CAS No. 77536-67-5

CHRYSOTILE, CAS No. 12001-29-5

CROCIDOLITE, CAS No. 12001-28-4

TREMOLITE, CAS No. 77536-68-6

DANGEROUS FIBRESDANGEROUS FIBRES

LENGTH > 5LENGTH > 5µµmm

BREADTH < 3 BREADTH < 3 µµmm

LENGTH/BREADTH RATIO > LENGTH/BREADTH RATIO > 3:13:1

GROUPS OF ASBESTOS (STRUCTURE) GROUPS OF ASBESTOS (STRUCTURE)

ASBESTOASBESTOSS

SERPENTINESERPENTINECHRYSOTILE (White Asbestos)

Mg3Si2O5(OH)4

AMPHIBOLEAMPHIBOLECROCIDOLITE (Blue Asbestos)

AMOSITE (Brown Asbestos)

ACTINOLITE

ANTOPHYLLITE

TREMOLITE

A0or1B2C5T8O22(OH,F,Cl)2

A=K,Na; B=Fe,Mn,Mg,Ca; C=Al,Cr,Ti,Fe,Mg;

T=Si,Al,Cr,Fe,Ti

STRUCTURE OF ASBESTOS FIBRESSTRUCTURE OF ASBESTOS FIBRES

CHRYSOTILE AMPHIBOLES

FRIABLE ASBESTOS CONTAINING FRIABLE ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS - MATERIALS WHICH MATERIALS - MATERIALS WHICH

CONTAIN LOW-DENSITY ASBESTOSCONTAIN LOW-DENSITY ASBESTOS

Density < 1 g/cmDensity < 1 g/cm33 and Asbestos > 5% and Asbestos > 5%

Asbestos ceiling plaster Asbestos ceiling plaster (Sprayed asbestos)(Sprayed asbestos)

Pipes, insulated by Pipes, insulated by asbestosasbestos

Asbestos platesAsbestos plates

Asbestos Asbestos cardboardcardboard

Asbestos ropeAsbestos rope

Asbestos glovesAsbestos gloves

NON-FRIABLE NON-FRIABLE ASBESTOS ASBESTOS CONTAINING CONTAINING MATERIALSMATERIALS – bound up with CEMENT– bound up with CEMENT

ASBESTOS CEMENT MATERIALSASBESTOS CEMENT MATERIALS

Density Density > 1,4> 1,4 g/cmg/cm33 and Asbestos and Asbestos << 1212%%

Asbestos cement roof Asbestos cement roof sheetssheets

Asbestos cement water Asbestos cement water pipespipes

OTHER NON-FRIABLE OTHER NON-FRIABLE ASBESTASBESTOS OS CONTAININGCONTAINING MATERIALS AND MATERIALS AND

PRODUCTSPRODUCTS

Facade sheets Facade sheets Bound up with Bound up with AsphaltAsphalt

Vinyl floor tiles Vinyl floor tiles Bound up with Bound up with VinylVinyl

OTHER NON-FRIABLE OTHER NON-FRIABLE ASBESTASBESTOS OS CONTAININGCONTAINING MATERIALS AND MATERIALS AND PRODUCTSPRODUCTS IN COMMON USE IN COMMON USE

Asbestos Asbestos tesnilo???tesnilo???

Asbestos brake Asbestos brake liningslinings

Asbestos sealAsbestos seal

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS FIBRES ON HUMAN HEALTHFIBRES ON HUMAN HEALTH

ASBESTOSASBESTOS is known as a dangerous substance with FIBROGENEFIBROGENE and CARCINOGENECARCINOGENE PROPERTIESPROPERTIES

EXPOSURE TO FREE ASBESTOS FIBRES CAN GIVE EXPOSURE TO FREE ASBESTOS FIBRES CAN GIVE RISE TO:RISE TO:

• ASBESTOSIS

• MESOTHELIOMA

• BRONCHIAL CARCINOMA

• GASTRO-INTESTINAL CARCINOMA

SLOVENE RESEARCHSLOVENE RESEARCH

1946 1946 →→ 670.000 t imported (white asbestos)670.000 t imported (white asbestos)

1960 – 1970 maximum production 1960 – 1970 maximum production

23.000 potential23.000 potentiallly exposed workersy exposed workers

1411 verificated 1411 verificated OCCUPATIONAL DISEASESOCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

(1.1.1998 – 31.12.2003)(1.1.1998 – 31.12.2003)

MAXIMUM No. EXPECTED IN 2020MAXIMUM No. EXPECTED IN 2020

SLOVENE RESEARCHSLOVENE RESEARCH

DIAGNOSIS DIAGNOSIS No.No.

ASBESTOSISASBESTOSIS 398398PLEURAL PLAQUEPLEURAL PLAQUE

14261426MESOTHELIOMA MESOTHELIOMA

2525BRONCHIAL CARCINOMABRONCHIAL CARCINOMA 2525GASTRO-INTESTINAL CARCINOMAGASTRO-INTESTINAL CARCINOMA

44

1411 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES 1998 1411 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES 1998 →→

2 2 DIAGNOSISESDIAGNOSISES

375375

1 DIAGNOSIS1 DIAGNOSIS

982982

3 3 DIAGNOSISESDIAGNOSISES

5252

4 4 DIAGNOSISESDIAGNOSISES

22

LIFE CYCLE OF ASBESTOS LIFE CYCLE OF ASBESTOS

Waste Waste disposaldisposal

RemovalRemoval

ApplicationApplication

ProductionProduction

ExtractionExtraction

Danger for everyone

Exp. workersExp. workers

Exp. populationExp. population

WHOLE LIFE CYCLE SHOULD BE WHOLE LIFE CYCLE SHOULD BE CONTROLLEDCONTROLLED

HOW TO COVER THE WHOLE LIFE CYCLE?HOW TO COVER THE WHOLE LIFE CYCLE?

AACTS, DECREES, RULES AND REGULATIONSCTS, DECREES, RULES AND REGULATIONS onon prohibition and restriction on production, trade in

and use

determination of occupational diseases, arising from exposure to asbestos

protection of workers from the risk related to the exposure to asbestos at work

the conditions for the disposal of materials containing asbestos

management of waste containing asbestos

emission of asbestos into the atmosphere and in the discharge of waste water

EU LEGAL BASIS EU LEGAL BASIS

Council Directive 83/477/EEC on the protection of the workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work, amended by

Council Directive 91/382/EEC

Council Directive 98/24/EC

Directive 2003/18/EC of the EU Parliament and of the Council

EU LEGISLATIONEU LEGISLATION

THE AIM: protection of the workers against risks to their health, including the prevention of such risks, arising or likely to arise from exposure to asbestos at work.

OBJECTIVES: lay down minimum requirements as well as limit values and set up clear principles, measures and ways to ensure enforcement

SCOPE: covers all workers in both public and private sectors

Structured around the concept on setting some bans and restrictions as well as around the concept of prevention of risks

Based on balanced obligations for employers and employees

BANS AND RESTRICTIONSBANS AND RESTRICTIONS

the exposure of the workers to asbestos fibres, with the exception of the treatment and disposal of products resulting from demolition and asbestos removal

the application of asbestos by means of spraying process and working procedures that involve using low density asbestos

to assign young workers, pregnant and breast-feeding women to work on activities, where they may be exposed to asbestos

the exposure higher than 8 hours per day/40 hours per week

to subcontract for work at home the activities, where the workers may be exposed to dust arising from asbestos

PREVENTIONPREVENTION

A step by step approach:

Avoiding risks and evaluating risks that cannot be avoided

Eliminating or reducing risk factors Adapting the work to the individual

A key document: the risk assessment

Development of a regularly updated prevention policy

Information on the risks and training of workers

Health surveillance at regular intervals

* Prevention is defined in Article 3(d) to the Directive 89/391/EC:“all the steps or measures taken or planned at all stages of work in the undertaking to prevent or reduce occupational risks”

ENHANCED DIALOGUEENHANCED DIALOGUE

Designation of a worker’s representative for health and safety at work

Consultation of workers by the employer in good time on all questions relating to health and safety

Adequate information concerning:

The potential risks to health from exposure to asbestos dust

Limit values Hygiene requirements, including the need to refrain from smoking

The precautions to be taken as regards the wearing and use of PPE and clothing

Special precautions designed to minimize exposure to asbestos

OBLIGATIONS OF AN EMPLOYER 1OBLIGATIONS OF AN EMPLOYER 1

EMPLOYERS must ensure safety and health of workers in every aspect related to the work

Submit the NOTIFICATION to the responsible authority (15 days) before the work commences

Asses all the RISKS to the health and safety in the undertaking

REDUCE THE EXPOSURE of workers in particular through following measures: number of workers, design of the work process, cleaning, appropriate storage and transport and waste management

Carry out MEASUREMENTS of asbestos fibres Respect the LIMIT VALUE of airborne asbestos

OBLIGATIONS OF AN EMPLOYER 2OBLIGATIONS OF AN EMPLOYER 2

Take the appropriate MEASURES in order to prevent injuries or accidents at no cost for workers (work places, working and protective clothing, storage devices, adequate washing and toilet facilities, working equipment)

Provide appropriate INFORMATION AND TRAINING Ensure HEALTH SURVELIANCE for each worker

prior ti the beginning of exposure and after that each 3 years, where the medical records shall be kept at lest 40 years.

Manage the REGISTER, indicating the nature and the duration of the exposure for each worker (shall be kept for at least 40 years)

OBLIGATIONS OF A WORKEROBLIGATIONS OF A WORKER

WORKERS WORKERS must take care of their own health and must take care of their own health and safety, and health of people who may be affected safety, and health of people who may be affected by their acts or missionsby their acts or missions

Correct use of tools and equipment as well as PPE Correct use of tools and equipment as well as PPE supplied to themsupplied to them

Follow the instructions given by the employerFollow the instructions given by the employer Report on any situation at work which constitutes Report on any situation at work which constitutes

an irregularity or a serious and immediate dangeran irregularity or a serious and immediate danger Cooperate to protect the safety and health of Cooperate to protect the safety and health of

other workers within their fields of activitiesother workers within their fields of activities

OBLIGATIONS OF MSsOBLIGATIONS OF MSs

Member states shall keep

A REGISTER OF RECOGNISED CASES OF ASBESTOSIS AND MESOTHELIOMA

Member states shall help anyone dealing with asbestos with different kinds of

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES!!!

CONSCLUSIONCONSCLUSION

TRANSPOSITION TRANSPOSITION The transposing legislation needsThe transposing legislation needs to clearly reflect the scope of directivesto clearly reflect the scope of directives to support awareness and enforcement in Small and to support awareness and enforcement in Small and

Medium EnterprisesMedium Enterprises to ensure efficient control by the Labour Inspectionto ensure efficient control by the Labour Inspection

IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATIONThe successful application of the OSH directives relies The successful application of the OSH directives relies on theon the motivation of key actors and their awarenessmotivation of key actors and their awareness

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTIONATTENTION