Action Plans on Asbestos Exposure

A Health Care Article Contributed by Kanchana Gunasekaran

Policies Made on Asbestos Exposure

A period of 5 years is allowed by the 2003 regulations in order to achieve a total phasing out of asbestos exposure. During this period asbestos will continue to be used in the relining of brakes, clutches and gaskets because the substitution for asbestos in these equipment is still pending.

Sampling of air should be done with the help of an asbestos filter device in order to detect and monitor the levels of asbestos exposure. The concentration of asbestos exposure in the air can be reduced if there is an enclosure between the workers and the asbestos fibers. The local exhaust ventilation which is efficient, and as close to the source as possible will also reduce the concentration of the asbestos exposure.

There must be a modification of the tools which are used in cutting the asbestos cement sheets. The effectiveness of all these methods must be checked by environmental monitoring.

Personal protection equipment must be provided which includes full body suit, airline fed helmets, rest for 15 minutes after every hour, and medical monitoring for checking the effectiveness of these measures. A register of all the workers who are exposed to asbestos must also be maintained.

The Workforce Must be Informed about the Asbestos Exposure

The workers are often concerned about the asbestos exposure in their work place. So all facts about asbestos exposure must be given to them. They must also be informed if there are adequate management plans for dealing with the issue. Meeting must be held at regular intervals and opinion surveys must be conducted which would provide an opportunity for the workers to express their concerns. Inspection of the workplace must be done on a regular basis.

The workers must be encouraged to report to the representatives of management and safety if they feel that the asbestos found seems to have been disturbed.

Risk Management Action Plan on Asbestos Exposure

The management must be urged by the safety representatives to undertake a survey by suitable professionals to find out the exact location of asbestos exposure where it is crumbled or disturbed, the state in which the asbestos is and where exactly would the fibers of asbestos are likely to be breathed in by the workers. The measurements of airborne concentrations are generally low. So the measurement of airborne concentrations are not desirable to be relied upon.

That is why the focus is taken away from the essential points by such a measurement. The essential points mentioned here is the likelihood of the presence of asbestos to emit airborne fibers. All the areas in the workplace must be labeled properly.

A program must be implemented for the control of any asbestos which is identified. If the asbestos is in a good condition it must be left in its place undisturbed but must be labeled. If the surface of the asbestos is damaged or crumbled, it must be safely removed by the appropriate professionals. Regular medical check ups must be arranged for all the exposed workers if the exposure has been serious.