Research has shown an association between asbestos exposure and lung cancer and bile duct cancer. The latter is a relatively rare form of cancer affecting the liver, but is now being reported in greater numbers worldwide. The research suggests that after inhalation or ingestion, asbestos fibres may reach the circulatory system, and are then delivered to all organs, including the liver. It is hypothesised that asbestos fibers are likely to be trapped in smaller bile ducts, leading to tumour formation.
Many countries have banned the importation and use of asbestos. For example, the United Kingdom banned the importation and use of amosite and croidolite in 1985 (although voluntary industry bans had existed – for example, for croidolite from 1970), actinolite, anthophyllite and tremolite in 1992 and chrysotile in 1999.
However, many workers can still potentially be exposed by working with older buildings in construction and demolition, shipbuilding trades and other equipment that used asbestos in their construction.
There are also many countries that still use asbestos in their industries and/or export it. This includes asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, as well as insulation work in the construction and building trades.
Preventative measures and asbestos removal
Our survey of tradespeople in 2018, conducted as we launched the asbestos phase of our No Time to Lose occupational cancer campaign, suggests much work is still needed.
Around a third of register respondents (32%) said they had never checked an asbestos before starting work on a new site, with 15% of these not knowing about the requirements for a register. Meanwhile, 18% said that if they found asbestos, they would either be unsure or have no idea what to do.
What can organizations do to eliminate or reduce their workers’ or supply chain’s exposure?
Firstly, develop a policy and strategy for asbestos and asbestos removal. This includes a commitment to manage the risk of working with existing asbestos and eliminate its use in their activities. Organizations can take further steps by interacting their supply chain and influencing them to follow their commitment as well.
Secondly, identify where asbestos might be found in the organization and what type it is. This might include surveys by a competent person. It is important to record the findings of this identification.
Thirdly, assesses the risk of asbestos exposure for the organisation’s activities. How are workers interacting with it? What tasks are they doing?
Fourthly, create a management plan for asbestos found in the workplace.
Lastly, identify and action controls to eliminate or manage worker exposure. This can include avoiding disturbing encapsulated asbestos material, use of specialist equipment to reduce exposure, to training of workers interacting with asbestos and reporting asbestos-relating incidents.
Further information on management of asbestos can be found on IOSH’s No Time to Lose website at www.notimetolose.org.uk