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Asbestos safety
A large number of people die every year on account of asbestos related diseases. Diseases linked to asbestos are considered as one of the biggest causes of work related deaths. Even though the use of asbestos has been prohibited much of the material continues to remain, specifically in buildings. This poses a lethal threat to those who are unwittingly exposed to the fibers in their routine work, or those who prefer to pay no attention to the controls that offer valuable safeguard while working with asbestos
There are three kinds of asbestos that are generally used. Each type of asbestos poses potential threats but studies indicates that blue and brown are considerably more hazardous than white asbestos. The majority of the materials containing asbestos that are found in buildings consist of an amalgamation of two or more types of asbestos.
The condition of asbestos which is good and those that are not spoilt are not considered hazardous to health. However when the condition of asbestos deteriorates the asbestos fibers can be transformed into sharp fibers that can be inhaled. When these fibers settle in the lungs they do not disperse and move to the outer surface resulting in a number of ailments, some of which are incurable.
Some of the diseases caused due to exposure to asbestos include asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is a permanent scarring of the lungs that leads to a reduction in elasticity. The incidence of lung cancer is high in those working with asbestos. Although all kinds of asbestos have the potential to cause lung cancer it is believed that the blue and brown type poses a greater threat. It should be borne in mind that smokers who are exposed to asbestos fibers are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the inside layer of the chest or abdominal wall. There is proof of enhanced threat from exposure to blue or brown asbestos fibers with the ailment being initiated from low or brief exposures to blue or brown asbestos.
Asbestos exposure in conventional industries
- People exposed to exceedingly high levels of asbestos in conventional industries such as shipbuilding, construction, boiler work are more vulnerable to threats from asbestos related diseases.
- However a significant number of people engaged in building and maintenance trades are also exposed to the dangers of asbestos linked ailments.
- People involved in these jobs are ignorant of the fact that they are frequently exposed to asbestos fibers when they shift contaminated building materials.
Heating and ventilating engineers, roofing contractors, fire and burglar alarm installers, general maintenance workers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, joiners, plasterers, painters and decorators, gas fitters, demolition workers, telephone engineers, computer installation engineers, site managers, surveyors, janitors and others who unsettle the fabric of buildings during their daily work are exposed to the dangers of asbestos exposure.
But the threat of asbestos exposure can be minimized by means of proper management of asbestos-containing materials or the utilization of useful working methods.
Limiting the exposure to asbestos can be achieved by means of engineering controls, administrative measures, and individual protective gear. Engineering controls consist of such things as separating the source and employing ventilation systems. Administrative measures consist of reducing the workers exposure time and making available shower facilities. Personal protective gear includes suitable respiratory protection and clothing.