Is Asbestos still a problem in the GCC?
Asbestos is the biggest occupational killer, claiming more than 200,000 lives a year worldwide (according to the Global Health Data Exchange). Its’ first use dates back to around 4000 B.C where the natural mineral was used in candle wicks and lamps. In the modern era, the world has experienced several stages of Asbestos exposure that can be described as follows.
The first real instance of Asbestos manufacturing was witnessed during the industrial revolution and mass mining across the world. Unknowingly, workers who dug, quarried and milled the raw material, were exposed to dangerous fibres levels every day. This extended down the production line to those individuals transporting Asbestos and ultimately those packaging and using the final product.
The next big developments came during World War Two and the mechanization of production in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. Industries such as aviation, marine, military and construction saw the fibre exposure of laborers working directly with raw Asbestos.
Today, global exposure levels have been reduced with several nations introducing bans, but in those regions where Asbestos use is still widespread and uncontrolled there is arguably a third stage of exposure, and the lack of understanding behind this dangerous mineral remains prevalent there. The situation in these nations echoes that of pre-1990’s before any real acknowledgement of Asbestos being a hazardous material came to fruition.
The UAE and neighboring GCC nations such as Saudi Arabia and Oman, have introduced control measures and legislation to combat the impact of Asbestos, but without consistent enforcement implementing these rules or modernizing them, it is still very common to see Asbestos use in the GCC.
In the Middle East, construction continues to dominate the skylines but with it comes the hidden threat of Asbestos fibre release, exposure to Asbestos does not just come from the demolition of older buildings. A lack of Asbestos awareness has led to its use in new buildings. Unclear prohibition legislation has seen the material be imported in to various GCC countries, and a lack of understanding on how to best manage Asbestos materials leads to an unprotected workforce.
Asbestos bans started to appear in the late 1970’s but for the GCC these weren’t initiated until the mid to late 2000’s. The knock-on effect is the delayed removal and management of Asbestos materials in the region. Asbestos has been identified within ships, hotels, schools, machinery, factories, power plants and homes, across a variety of different ages. In 2021 Asbestos should still be a concern to everyone and not just laborers or construction workers, who we automatically think of being the highest risk category. It is now that we should grow a culture of prevention to maintain good practice and safe environments when it comes to Asbestos management. Asbestos is still unknowingly being used, for example, as fire protection, within pipelines, as insulation, in walls, doors and ceiling voids.
It is common for those involved in demolition or Asbestos removal to not receive extensive training on how to use safety equipment. Wearing Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) and PPE can also create a false sense of security where the user feels protected against this silent killer, but the reality is that in certain atmospheres Asbestos concentrations may exceed the safety limits of the equipment without the user or their supervisors knowing. Additionally PPE and RPE for demolition and Asbestos removal works must be the correct type for the task at hand.
Whether site based or within the vicinity of Asbestos disturbance, we are all at risk from inhaling airborne fibres or even unknowingly carrying them home to our loved ones. Across all industries, citizens would benefit from some form of Asbestos awareness training, and this should be accompanied with continuous improvement and the updating of legislation, regulation and local guidance.
The legislative bans introduced in 2006 and 2007 on Asbestos “board” need reviewing to capture the wider categories of Asbestos in the GCC and to fulfill a long-term goal of a complete ban on the use of Asbestos. In the same way we approach Health & Safety, using a mixture of top-down and bottom-up delivery, this will enable the strong messages behind the dangers of Asbestos to reach all of the population and not just those in higher risk industries.
Asbestos awareness must become a mandatory component of any site induction across all activities. Companies with a procurement team must be able to identify an Asbestos risk (that could enter their supply chain) in the same way that a laborer physically working with raw materials should be able to. Knowledge on Asbestos must be improved if we are to see a downward trend of Asbestos use in the GCC.
With a strong program of prevention, we can manage the historic Asbestos that currently remains in the GCC, and at the same time stop ongoing importation and use in new construction projects. In 2021 everybody should be able to feel safe in an Asbestos-free environment. The fear-factor from Asbestos should be at the forefront of our minds in and remind us to be cautious when we think a suspicious material may be impacting our day-to-day tasks.
We can take reassurance in these situations by having the training and awareness on the dangers of Asbestos, and by seeking professional advice from consultants who have the experience and history of managing this deadly material.
Written by Richard Wiles
If you have any Asbestos related concerns, contact us to see how Anthesis Consulting Middle East can help you:
Richard Wiles (Senior Asbestos Consultant)
Phone: +971 (0) 50 251 8787
Email: asbestos@anthesisgroup.com