1. Asbestos: Future Initiatives
19 December 2006 1

2. Financial Burden
In 1990, the HSE in the UK commissioned a study into the financial burden of asbestos.
The cost was estimated at US$1billion per year, based upon removal and analytical costs. No industry figures from trade organisations.
In 2004 the HSE introduced the ‘Duty to Manage’ regulation – this has been estimated to at least quadruple this value to approximately US$4 billion. 2

3. Financial Burden
The additional costs in 2004 are due to ‘management’ costs plus additionally discovered ACMs which require removal, due to upsurge in surveys.
The HSE estimated (in 1990) that to remove all asbestos from the UK’s buildings would cost in the region of US$20 trillion.
Cost of law suits and compensation for death and illness is not included in these figures and will run into US$ millions. 3

4. UK Asbestos Legislation
First recorded death from pulmonary asbestosis in UK in 1924.
Asbestos Industry Regulations Specific processes
Asbestos Regulations 1969
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
Current Asbestos Regulations
Most recent regulations 2006. 4

5. Asbestos Legislation In the UK: Imports of crocidolite banned in 1970.
Imports of amosite banned in 1980.
Use, import & manufacture of all amphiboles banned in 1985.
Use, import & manufacture of all types of asbestos banned in 1999. 5

6. Asbestos Legislation
EU directive – all members states prohibit the use, manufacture & import of all asbestos types by 1st January 2005.
Australia banned use of all asbestos products in December 2003.
Chile banned asbestos in July 2001
Argentina - Jan 2003 6

7. Asbestos Legislation in Asia
Japan. Banned amphiboles in Working towards a total ban ‘by 2008’
Hong Kong – legislation in place for removal and handling since 1995.
Singapore – legal framework since the 1980s and ban on imports since 1989. 7

8. Asbestos Legislation
Global trend historically has been as countries develop, asbestos usage declines.
WHO recommends elimination of all use of asbestos.
ILO wants to eliminate use of asbestos
UNEP wants to include chrysotile on their ‘watch list’ of hazardous substances, and states;
“there is concern for many developing nations that need to protect their citizens from the well-known risks of asbestos” 8

9. Asbestos management
It is recommended that the governments of Indonesia, Sri Lanka & Maldives consider the following;
Total ban on import, use and manufacture of amphiboles and products containing amphiboles.
Import restrictions on chrysotile. This should include licensing for importation, so amounts and destinations of asbestos are known.
Look towards a total ban on all asbestos products. 9

10. Asbestos management
Governments have good records of imports of the material into their country.
At the very least, importation of amphiboles to be ceased.
What is being imported – product, or raw fibre?
Where is the asbestos going to?
What is it used for? 10

11. Asbestos management
Look into introducing asbestos into any occupational safety and health legislation;
Introducing occupational exposure limits for manufacture. Indonesia currently has no such legislation.
Introducing proper management of known asbestos materials already in buildings.
Introducing methods for safe removal
Introducing waste disposal & management measures. 11

12. Asbestos management
Have a prescribed list of low-risk products, such as asbestos cement, gaskets, and brake linings. Other products, such as insulating boards, rope, & textiles should be considered to be banned.
Consider Government initiatives to use alternative building products. It is known in the Maldives, where rain water is saved, that people do not like asbestos cement roofs due to algae in water.
Consider research into manufacture of non-asbestos products – metal roofs, or non-asbestos cement, as this technology is already available.
Government initiatives and training into establishing alternative industry – other types of roofing tiles. 12

13. Asbestos management
Where manufacturing is taking place, there needs to be a full assessment of the processes involved, using best practice and the hierarchy of control.
Eliminate usage of asbestos
Automate handling of asbestos where possible.
Use of local exhaust ventilation to control asbestos dust.
Use PPE / RPE as a last resort. 13

14. Asbestos management
Need to introduce programmes of information, instruction & training for the following;
Personnel in manufacture.
Artisans, such as roofers, construction workers.
Specific waste disposal & removal operatives (from demolition industry). 14

15. Asbestos management
Introduction of management procedures for demolition of buildings – obtain asbestos information before-hand.
Trained operatives / companies who can safely dismantle asbestos materials e.g. demolition operatives.
Introduction of waste disposal schemes. 15