“Moving towards an asbestos risk-free work environment and society”
The new Asbestos Abatement Regulations 2020 replaces the Asbestos Regulations, 2001 and was done in partnership with National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH).
The DEL Minister published the Asbestos Abatement Regulations on November 10, 2020, which require businesses to provide and maintain, as far as is practically feasible, a safe and healthy working environment for their employees.
Employers have a clear responsibility to identify asbestos in the workplace and appropriately handle it, according to the regulations.
This duty is also extended to employees to take care of their health and safety and also look after others who may be affected by their acts or omissions; co-operate with the employer to enable him/her to comply with the Act; carry out any lawful order, and obey the health & safety rules; report any unsafe situation to the employer or to the health & safety rep – in order to ensure that their human dignity and safety is preserved.
Although there is no national policy currently with a cut-off date when all buildings must be asbestos free, employers are encouraged to self-develop policy and procedure as to how they are going to be phasing out asbestos in their buildings.
Regulation 3 and 20 gives employers an implementation time period of 18 months from the promulgation date, to develop written asbestos management plans as well as the labelling and signage to indicate materials or buildings containing asbestos.
When is Asbestos Dangerous?
The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing. In fact, asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested. Many of the fibers will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed, but some may pass deep into the lungs, or, if swallowed, into the digestive tract. Once they are trapped in the body, the fibers can cause health problems.
Asbestos is most hazardous when it is friable. The term “friable” means that the asbestos is easily crumbled by hand, releasing fibers into the air. Sprayed on asbestos insulation is highly friable. Asbestos floor tile is not.
Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, floor tiles, undamaged laboratory cabinet tops, shingles, fire doors, siding shingles, etc. will not release asbestos fibers unless they are disturbed or damaged in some way. If an asbestos ceiling tile is drilled or broken, for example, it may release fibers into the air. If it is left alone and not disturbed, it will not.
Damage and deterioration will increase the friability of asbestos-containing materials. Water damage, continual vibration, aging, and physical impact such as drilling, grinding, buffing, cutting, sawing, or striking can break the materials down making fiber release more likely.
Health Effects
Because it is so hard to destroy asbestos fibers, the body cannot break them down or remove them once they are lodged in lung or body tissues. They remain in place where they can cause disease.
There are three primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure:
