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National workshop on prevention of asbestos-related disease, Bangkok

National workshop on prevention of asbestos-related disease, Bangkok. Jim Skilling HSE, Edinburgh. Asbestos installed in GB. 50,000 tonnes of crocidolite, mainly in the form of textile, thermal and spray insulation

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National workshop on prevention of asbestos-related disease, Bangkok

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  1. National workshop on prevention of asbestos-related disease, Bangkok Jim Skilling HSE, Edinburgh

  2. Asbestos installed in GB • 50,000 tonnes of crocidolite, mainly in the form of textile, thermal and spray insulation • 500,000 tonnes of amosite, mainly as asbestos insulating board, thermal and spray insulation • 2.7 million tonnes of chrysotile, mainly as cement products (and minor amounts of textiles) • The 1999 estimate was that about a quarter of the asbestos containing products may have been removed

  3. Overall scale of asbestos related disease in GB • The annual number of mesothelioma deaths in GB continues to increase • Nearly 2000 deaths in 2004 compared with 153 in 1968 when figures first available • Latest projections suggest the annual number of mesothelioma deaths in GB will peak between 2000 and 2450 deaths about year 2015. • Asbestos-related lung cancer deaths can’t be counted directly – but it is likely to be as many such deaths as mesothelioma deaths each year. • 100 deaths in 2004 due to asbestosis and 760 new cases of disablement benefit

  4. Overall scale of mesothelioma in GB

  5. Legacy of heavy industrial use of asbestos in GB • Mesothelioma rates in GB among highest in the world: over 70 deaths per million per year for men aged over 20. • Statistical analyses of mesothelioma deaths show that occupations and geographical areas with the highest mesothelioma risks are associated with heavy past asbestos exposures: • shipbuilding • railway engineering • asbestos product manufacture • construction. • The projections model suggests that exposures declined rapidly in GB during the 1970s • Highest risks for men are among those born in the late 1930s or early 1940s – mesothelioma may account for around 0.7% of all deaths among these men.

  6. Voluntary industry bans 1970 – Use of crocidolite 1973 – spraying of asbestos 1983 – use of amosite 1983 – manufacture of asbestos insulating board

  7. GB legislation Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations • Supply/use of crocidolite and amosite, spraying & installation of insulation (1985) • Use of decorative coatings & paint (1988) • Use of all forms of amphiboles(1992) • Use of all forms of chrysotile (1999)

  8. Mesothelioma in Western Europe • The total number of pleural mesothelioma deaths continued to increase in France, Germany and Italy during the last decade of the 20th century. • However, observed deaths in these countries have been somewhat lower than previously predicted. • The total number of mesothelioma deaths during 1995-2029 is likely to be lower than the 250,000 previously predicted.

  9. Problems in the detection of diseases • Long latency period; • Inaccurate exposure assessments; • Mobile exposed groups; • Lack of unified criteria for diagnosis; • Problems of recognition and compensation; • Weak power of epidemiological studies; • Commercial interests.

  10. GB strategy for asbestos control • Elimination of dry stripping • Control dust generation at source • Trained & competent workforce • Ensure respirators fit the wearers • Better medical surveillance • No “danger money” for asbestos work

  11. GB control strategy continued • Licensing of all removal companies with regular site visits and assessments • Accreditation for analysts • Establish where asbestos can be found in premises and manage it’s presence • Accreditation for surveyors

  12. Heating and ventilation engineers. Roofing contractors. Fire and burglar alarm installers. General maintenance staff. Electricians. Plumbers. Carpenters and joiners. Plasterers. Gas fitters. Cable layers. Demolition workers. Painters and decorators “New” vulnerable trades

  13. An overview of Duty To Manage • Know whether premises contain asbestos • Assess the risks from the ACMs • Prepare a plan on managing the risks • Take steps to implement the plan • Inform all those who need to know of the location and condition of the ACMs • Review and monitor the situation

  14. Present challenges • Legacy of poor asbestos removal previously • Poor compliance and ineffective management of “duty to manage” • Insufficient competent surveyors • “risk taking” attitude of asbestos removal workers and maintenance workers • Public perception of risk – (1 fibre kills/ how clean is clean)

  15. Poor stripping practices

  16. Responses to challenges • 1 set of regulations with tighter standards • More focused training and improved liaison with training providers • Improved guidance for all sections of the industry • Emphasis on increased/ informed supervision of those removing asbestos (viewing panels and/or CCTV) • Review of “duty to manage” – how to improve compliance and surveyors’ competence

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