2. Key learning points: what asbestos is how asbestos can cause harm
how to prevent asbestos-related harm

3. What is asbestos?
the name used for a group of naturally occurring minerals used in many products
used to strengthen materials and provide fire and chemical resistance
usually mixed with other substances to create different asbestos-containing materials (ACMs); also used on its own

4. What does asbestos look like?
asbestos fibres are microscopic: a thousandth of the diameter of human hair
there are several types of asbestos, the most common are:

5. Where can asbestos be found?

6. How asbestos can cause harm
Asbestos isn’t dangerous until it’s disturbed, then tiny fibres are released.
respirable asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye
when breathed in they can become stuck in the lungs
over time, this can cause serious illnesses, including fatal cancers.
 20,000 asbestos fibres
2 grains of rice

7. The health risks There is no safe level of asbestos exposure Include:
Number of deaths in Great Britain from Mesothelioma
Include:
asbestosis
lung cancer
mesothelioma
cancer of the larynx
ovarian cancer
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure

8. The facts
approximately 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos in the workplace and it claims over 107,000 lives a year
each year it is estimated that there are more than 38,400 deaths from mesothelioma around the world
asbestos causes lung disease. If the worker is also a smoker, this significantly increases the risk

9. Which trades are at risk?
metal-forming, welding and related trades
vehicle
shipping and rail
metal machining, fitting and instrument-making
construction and building
electrical
There is evidence of asbestos-related diseases in other occupations

11. How to prevent asbestos-related harm
Eight simple steps:
Know where it is
Record where it is
Complete a risk assessment
Create a management plan
Planning to work on ACMs
Inform those who are potentially exposed
Train workers
Investigate asbestos incidents

12. Controls to prevent exposure
If planning controlled work on ACMs
avoid the use of power tools
ensure that measures are taken to prevent dust getting into the air
Do not work on ACMs unless
you are competent
have a safe system of work in place
are licensed to the level required by the country that you are working in
Where it is necessary to make extensive repairs to ACMs or remove them from a building, it is strongly advised to have the work carried out by a specialist contractor

13. Accidental release of asbestos dust
stop work immediately
seal off the area and put up signage
check for draughts
instruct the worker to stay in one place near the point of damage, but not exposed to the dust
ask them to take their contaminated clothing off, double-bag it, label it and dispose of it
consider any other action to avoid the spread of contamination
clean up the contamination
Air monitoring should also be carried out

14. What can I do?
Keep an eye on your own health and seek medical advice if you have any of these symptoms:
a cough most of the time
a cough experienced for a while that gets worse
persistent breathlessness
coughing up phlegm with traces of blood
an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder
loss of appetite or an unexpected loss of weight
persistent tiredness

15. A good practice approach

16. Any questions?

17. To find out more and get free resources
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