Asbestos Audit - October 2024

Welcome to the October 2024 edition of our e-newsletter. This month’s edition is packed full of insights from the Asbestos Management and Remediation?section of the Environmental Services Industry.

Read on to learn more.

World Health Organisation Latest Update Reports More Than 200,000 Estimated Deaths Caused By Occupational Exposure To Asbestos

Asbestos has long been prized for its durability and resistance to heat, leading to its widespread use in various industries, especially construction. However, this mineral has left a catastrophic health legacy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asbestos exposure is a significant driver of work-related cancers, accounting for over 200,000 deaths worldwide each year. Here's a closer look at the dangers posed by asbestos, who is most at risk, and what can be done to prevent future exposure and asbestos-related illnesses.

Key Facts About Asbestos

1. All Forms of Asbestos Are Dangerous: Contrary to some misconceptions, every type of asbestos, including chrysotile (white asbestos), is classified as carcinogenic by WHO.
2. A Major Threat to Workers: Studies indicate that a large proportion of manual laborers in the global construction industry are exposed to asbestos. The risk also extends to those working in asbestos mining, vehicle maintenance, and other trades where asbestos-containing materials are common.
3. Devastating Health Impact: Asbestos-related illnesses lead to nearly 200,000 deaths annually due to work exposure alone, with more than 70% of those deaths from work-related cancers.

Who Is at Risk?

The groups most vulnerable to asbestos exposure include:

• Construction Workers: Asbestos exposure is common among those working in construction, maintenance, and demolition of buildings that contain asbestos.
• Vehicle Maintenance Workers: The use of asbestos in brake pads, brake shoes, and clutches puts these workers at risk.
• Emergency Responders and Cleanup Crews: Damage from natural disasters or large-scale building demolition can release asbestos into the air, creating a high-risk environment.
• Miners and Manufacturers: Those involved in asbestos mining, manufacturing of asbestos products, and recycling are also highly susceptible.

Prevention and Control Measures

The most effective way to prevent asbestos-related diseases is to stop using asbestos altogether, which over 50 WHO member states have already accomplished through legal bans. However, many buildings constructed before these bans contain asbestos, and removing it safely remains a significant challenge. Here’s what is essential for effective asbestos management:

• Legislation and Prohibition: Countries need laws to prohibit asbestos use, as well as strict guidelines for asbestos removal and disposal.
• Workplace Safety: Workers exposed to asbestos must have protective equipment, regular health screenings, and training to handle asbestos safely.
• Use of Safer Alternatives: WHO recommends low-hazard materials as replacements for asbestos. These substitutes should be selected carefully, as not all are entirely risk-free.

Long-term Health and Environmental Considerations

Because of its long latency period, asbestos-related illnesses often do not appear until decades after exposure. Therefore, even countries that have banned asbestos will continue to see asbestos-related health issues for years to come. This makes it crucial to maintain long-term awareness, healthcare resources, and monitoring programs.

WHO’s Call to Action

The WHO, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other organizations, advocates for a worldwide ban on asbestos. Their approach includes:

• Education and Awareness: Informing the public, especially workers, about asbestos risks.
• Medical Support and Surveillance: Improving the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services for affected individuals.
• Safe Waste Management: Treating asbestos waste as hazardous and developing safe disposal methods.

European Commission Invites Experts To Join Its Efforts To Prepare Asbestos Safety Guidelines

Asbestos remains a leading cause of work-related cancer in Europe. It’s responsible for 78% of all recognized occupational cancers and 88% of lung cancers linked to occupational exposure. The EU has been legislating for worker protection against asbestos since 1983, with the most recent update coming in the form of the revised Asbestos at Work Directive (2009/148/EC) in 2023. T

he revised directive strengthens protections by lowering the exposure limits for asbestos and introducing additional measures for safety in the workplace. Now, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion (DG EMPL) seeks to provide practical guidelines to implement these protections effectively across Europe.

How to Get Involved: Workshop Schedule and Topics

A series of online workshops will be held from late October through early December 2024, with each session focusing on specific areas where asbestos exposure is a concern.

The workshops offer an excellent platform for experts to voice their concerns, propose best practices, and help shape a safer future for EU workplaces. Each workshop will explore best practices, innovations in safe asbestos handling, and techniques for reducing exposure, drawing on input from field professionals.

The asbestos survey types can be found in HSG-264 the survey guide, and within The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR2012).

The different types of Asbestos Survey are:

• Management Asbestos Surveys
• Refurbishment Asbestos Surveys
• Demolition Asbestos Surveys
• Re-Inspection Asbestos Surveys

Any non-residential building built before the end of 1999 will require some form of asbestos inspection or sign-off that no asbestos was used within the construction.

Without this important information, an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) or an asbestos register cannot be properly implemented or produced.

It is a legal requirement for any person designated as the duty holder of a property to produce an asbestos register for the property they control.

Once the register is in place, they are also legally bound to produce an Asbestos Management Plan for the asbestos identified within the survey.

The asbestos survey type required depends upon a number of factors.

• Are you planning to do work on the property?
• Are you aware of any previous reports for the property?
• Are you demolishing all or parts of the building?

The survey types can also be interlinked to include two or even three types of survey in one for buildings where major works are commencing. To see what areas of a building a survey covers see here.

How can Asbestos Audit help?

The Asbestos Audit management team can talk you through every step of the survey process ensuring you are compliant with the current Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. We offer practical impartial asbestos and safety advice to clients large and small.

The Asbestos Audit team works in partnership with building owners, duty holders, and site managers for commercial, industrial, and domestic buildings to ensure compliance and safety at all times.

We cover the whole of the UK and further afield where required.

Our asbestos survey costs include all samples, site inspection by trained surveyors, full reports to HSG-264, and any associated recommendations and consultancy. All works are fully quoted, and costs are confirmed before we come to the site.

Our teams can assist with any of the following asbestos-related works -

Asbestos Surveys near me

Asbestos Removal near me

Asbestos Sampling near me

Asbestos in Soils

Re-inspection and maintenance near me

If you would like further information on our range of surveys and consultancy. Please contact your local office or click below to get in touch

If you're interested in learning more about Asbestos check out our blog posts here or if you're working somewhere where asbestos exposure might be a concern, contact us for emergency response.