Comprehensive Guide to Asbestos Management in Saudi Arabia: Risks, Regulations, and Best Practices

July 24, 2024 Simon Pickup

Old Building - Saudi Arabia - Photo by Yasser Mutwakil ياسر متوكل on Unsplash

The discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia in 1938 initiated a construction boom that extensively utilized asbestos, now recognized for its severe health risks. Although banned in 1998, asbestos remains a significant concern, particularly in older buildings and during demolition activities. Effective asbestos management in Saudi Arabia necessitates mandatory surveys, comprehensive management plans, and stringent enforcement of regulations. Public awareness campaigns and professional training are crucial to mitigating asbestos risks and ensuring safety. This guide explores the current challenges and best practices for asbestos management in the Kingdom, highlighting the importance of proactive measures to protect public health and the environment.

Everything You Need to Know About Asbestos in Power Stations: Identification, Health Risks, Removal and Regulations

April 17, 2023 Simon Pickup

Asbestos insulation found around boilers and calorifiers in a Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP)

Anthesis Team members have been working in the power and water sector in the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans and Central Asia for the past 15 years, surveying for, and removing Asbestos and other hazardous materials. Asbestos, due to its durability and resistance to heat and chemicals, is a prime material for use in a power station and as a result can pose a significant hazard to human health, especially during rehabilitation.

Back to Basics - What is Asbestos and How is it Identified?

December 19, 2022 Simon Pickup

Asbestos in a derelict building - Photo by Alwan Ibrahim on Unsplash

A blog looking at what Asbestos is, how it is identified and what types of Asbestos surveys are best suited to identify Asbestos in your building.

Could the UAE Become the First Asbestos-Free Country in the World?

July 26, 2022 Simon Pickup

Is an Asbestos-Free UAE possible? Photo by ZQ Lee on Unsplash

With a strong commitment from the government could the United Arab Emirates (UAE) become the first country in the world to eradicate the deadly material and declare its territory as Asbestos free? In this blog article we explore if this is possible and how it could be achieved.

The Most Common Asbestos Materials in the Middle East

July 19, 2022 Simon Pickup

Badly damaged Asbestos cement found in a residential area of Dubai, UAE

A blog to discuss the most commonly found Asbestos materials in the UAE and the wider Middle Eastern region.

Asbestos in South East Asia

November 29, 2021 Simon Pickup

Asbestos removal operatives, Jakarta, Indonesia

A blog discussing the Asbestos situation within various South East Asian countries. The article focuses on continued Asbestos use, importation, manufacturing and topical issues associated with Asbestos in each country.

Asbestos Solutions - How is Asbestos Removed?

June 5, 2021 Simon Pickup

Asbestos gasket removal from within an industrial facility

A blog to discuss the ways in which Asbestos that may be in your home, workplace or building would be removed. The blog discusses the techniques used to safely remove Asbestos, the procedures to be followed, the equipment required and the reasons why this should be conducted by Asbestos professionals, rather than homeowners.

Asbestos Solutions - How do I Identify Asbestos in my Building?

June 1, 2021 Simon Pickup

Braided Asbestos insulation and an Asbestos gasket to a generator exhaust.

A blog to discuss the ways in which you can identify Asbestos that may be in your home, workplace or building. The blog offers practical solutions and risk assessment tools that can be used to make a reasonable assumption as to whether there may be Asbestos in your building. Asbestos testing, Asbestos surveys and Asbestos management solutions are discussed.

Asbestos in Southern Asia

May 25, 2021 Simon Pickup

Asbestos cement roof sheeting found in Goa, India

A blog summarizing the major issues faced within each of the 8 countries located in Southern Asia. Topics discussed include Asbestos prohibitions, shipbreaking, Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA), Asbestos importation, mining and factories - and the health effects all of the aforementioned have on these populous third world countries.

Asbestos in Homes – A Property Owners Guide to Abatement in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

May 3, 2021 Simon Pickup

Friable Asbestos Insulation - Abu Dhabi, UAE

A blog discussing what property owners and home owners should do if it is confirmed that there is Asbestos in their building. The blog looks at the various common types of Asbestos materials, their risk ratings, what to expect during Asbestos abatement and whether is may be more cost effective and convenient to manage the existing Asbestos rather than remove it.

Asbestos in Homes – A Property Owners Guide to Identification in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

April 30, 2021 Simon Pickup

Asbestos Cement Roof Sheeting - Dubai, UAE

A blog discussing what property owners and home owners should do if they suspect there may be Asbestos in their building. The blog looks at the various common types of Asbestos materials, their properties and what steps should be taken to conclusively identify the presence of Asbestos in a home.

Asbestos in the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC)

April 25, 2021 Simon Pickup

Asbestos Cement Used as Fencing in a Central European Village

A blog discussing the use of Asbestos in the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). The blog looks at why the CEEC is facing such a legacy of Asbestos related issues and such a significant disease burden. Factors such as continued use, excessive use in the 20th century, proximity to Asbestos mines and colder climates are considered. The blog looks to provide some solutions to lessen the impact of the Asbestos issue.

Is Asbestos Still a Problem in the GCC?

April 18, 2021 Simon Pickup

Asbestos Cement Debris Found in the Desert of the Middle East

A blog discussing the historical use of Asbestos across the globe and locally within the GCC countries. The blog looks at whether citizens and residents should still be concerned by the potential risk posed by Asbestos in the Middle East, some of the current issues associated with this topic in the region and what can be done to reduce the hazard posed by this cancer causing material.

Asbestos in the Rocks – Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA)

March 20, 2021 Simon Pickup

Tunneling Activities - Could There be a Hidden Asbestos Risk?

A blog discussing the issue of Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA), its prevalence in the Middle East and the activities that are most likely to cause Asbestos disturbance and interface with Asbestos minerals in the ground and rock faces. The article poses best practice means to identify and manage Asbestos risk during major infrastructure projects.

Could There be Asbestos in Your Home or Workplace?

March 15, 2021 Simon Pickup

Damaged Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) Ceiling Panels Found in a Residential Home

A blog discussing the different types of Asbestos found in the buildings we visit, work in or live in. The blog outlines the likely locations where Asbestos can be found, the main properties of Asbestos, and what to do if you suspect there may be Asbestos materials in your building.

Hidden Danger - Underground Asbestos

March 10, 2021 Simon Pickup

Asbestos Cement Pipework Debris by the Roadside - Fujairah, UAE

Asbestos cement pipes are a common type of pipework found in the Middle East and Africa, used for storm water drains, potable water, sewerage and irrigation. They present a hazard to human health when they are damaged and disturbed predominantly during groundworks. The blog details information on their use, prevalence and recommends safe procedures for their handling.

Asbestos on the Continent of Africa

March 6, 2021 Simon Pickup

A blog discussing the use of Asbestos in many African countries, the history of use and export of Asbestos from the continent and pleas from the WHO for an outright ban. The blog looks at some of the countries that have implemented prohibitions, but also details how more regulation needs to be in place to stop the continued use Asbestos.

Eastern European Asbestos Usage

March 3, 2021 Simon Pickup

Labelled Braided Asbestos Insulation Surrounding Industrial Scale Boilers

A blog discussing the continued use of Asbestos in many Eastern European countries, analysis of World Health Organization (WHO) research, policy and recommendations. The blog looks at National Asbestos Profiles (NAPs) and looks at how Asbestos surveys, Asbestos removal and Asbestos management can play a part in reducing Asbestos Related Disease (ARD).

Uncontrolled Demolition in the Middle East

March 1, 2021 Simon Pickup

A blog regarding the issue of uncontrolled demolition that periodically occurs in the Middle East. The blog looks at why this happens, the negative aspects of such activities, the stakeholders that are put at risk and what can be done to fix the problem.

Asbestos in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

February 25, 2021 Simon Pickup

Asbestos Cement Roof Sheeting at a Waste Storage Facility - Tajikistan

A blog regarding the continued use of Asbestos in many former USSR territories and the potential future issues this may cause. The article looks at some of the unscrupulous measures used by Asbestos producing companies, and what can be done to reduce liabilities associated with Asbestos usage.