Safety and health at work is everyone’s concern. It’s good for you. It’s good for business.

Asbestos hearing European Parliament 18 September 2012Dr. Christa SedlatschekDirector

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Health issues

Most common diseases caused by asbestos exposure are: Malignant Mesothelioma: A rare form of cancer of the pleura and

peritoneum, the thin membranes lining the abdomen and chest. Asbestos Lung Cancer: Cancer of the lung. The two most common

types of lung cancer are small–cell and non–small cell cancer. Asbestosis: A non malignant disease that causes scarring of the lung

tissue. Asbestos Pleural Disease: A non malignant disease that causes

scarring of the thin membranes lining the lung and chest. Other possible: cancer of the digestive tract, colon, larynx,

oesophagus, kidney and some types of lymphoma, due to swallowing longer asbestos fibers that are caught in the upper airways.

Recently discovered: link to cardiovascular diseases in asbestos workers, women more likely than men to be affected (HSL 2012)

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Groups potentially exposed

Construction workers Shipbuilding and repair Trains/ repair work Welders, sheet metal workers, boilermakers, smiths Rubber, paper, paints and varnishes Electricians, mechanics Ceramics Nuclear installations Retailers of asbestos articles Laboratory workers Service workers: ironer, surface cleaning Repair and maintenance (e.g. household appliances) Jewellers, goldsmiths Brewers, cider workers Emergency workers

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EU-OSHA activities

Participation in Dresden declaration 2003 Asbestos an issue in EU-OSHA campaigns:

• 2004 Construction campaignFacts 31 – Asbestos in construction in 20 languages

• 2010-11 Maintenance campaignE-fact 48: Safe maintenance – asbestos in building maintenance − EFBWW and EBC campaign partners

EU-OSHA supported the SLIC campaign, see http://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/asbestos

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EU Senior Labour Inspector s Committee´s campaign 2006

Problems with:- identifying asbestos (Is it asbestos or not? Which type of asbestos?);- drawing up an inventory of asbestos-containing material (location, amount, state);- accidental exposure in refurbishment and maintenance work;- risk assessment and appropriateness of working methods;- removal and disposal of asbestos cement, especially from private buildings;- waste disposal and OSH;- licensing and certification of companies in removal and disposal of asbestos;- information for the general public and training of inspectors, employers and

workers.

Campaign concentrated on three fields of demolition, maintenance and repair asbestos work: - DMR work with weakly bound asbestos;- DMR work with asbestos-cement products;- Waste disposal.

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In many countries asbestos work related to ‘sporadic exposure at low intensity’ Trend to smaller-scale work with asbestos containing material, often done by small and

micro businesses Workers at risk are mainly in maintenance. Overlooked: railway trains, recycling of (roof) tiles, transport containers Removal of weakly bound asbestos products more strictly regulated, detailed technical

provisions described in each country's regulations.

New forms of communication and training recommendedMore information and easy-to-understand (graphic, pictorial) information

Weak points: Work plan, instruction on site: partly or not at all Training certificates Coordinator, expert, responsible for monitoring on site Securing of waste and transport, landfill certificates Waste disposal scored worst on risk assessment, dust-free equipment, documentation,

training and monitoring Read the report:

http://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/asbestos

EU Senior Labour Inspector s Committee´s campaign 2006

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Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2012-13 “Working together for risk prevention”

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Further information

• Visit the campaign website

www.healthy-workplaces.eu• To find out about events and activities in your country, contact

your national focal point

www.healthy-workplaces.eu/fops