Protection of workers from asbestos

The Fédération Française du Bâtiment (French Building Federation) is attentive to the work carried out by the European Union on safety and health at work, and more particularly on the subject of laminator. In this connection, the FFB would like to make some comments on the proposal for a revision of Directive 2009/148/EC concerning the lamiant position during work presented by the European Commission on 28…

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Ceemet response to the European Commission feedback on an adopted act amending Directive 2009/148/EC on Asbestos Ceemet welcomes the initiative of the European Commission, released on 28 September 2022, as it proposes an occupational exposure limit value (OEL) of 0.01 fibres/cm³ which was the proposal of both governments and employers in the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health.

The German Social Accident Insurance(Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung, DGUV), is the umbrella association of the social accident insurance institutions for industry, trade and the public sectors. It looks after the joint interests of its members and promotes the work they do for the benefit of insured persons and enterprises.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), as the leading professional organisation for medical oncology representing more than 25,000 oncology professionals from over 160 countries worldwide, welcomes the efforts of the European Commission to address the health-related risks stemming from asbestos by proposing to revise the Asbestos at Work Directive.

Having reviewed the proposal to amend Directive 2009/148/EC on asbestos, INVASSAT has made the following comments: 1. The main amendments included in this proposal are the reduction of the limit value to 0,01 fibres/cm³ and the possibility of using electron microscopy in addition to phase contrast microscopy, which is a more modern and sensitive methodology.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

In principle, we fully support the political objective set out in the EP resolution of contributing to long-term EU-wide prevention of exposure to asbestos in everyday life. Recommendations that subordinate to this objective without consideration of feasibility and concrete impacts are critical if, from our point of view, they have the opposite effect in the medium term.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

3M welcomes this initiative of the European Commission to further protect workers from asbestos exposure and promote occupational health and safety. While reviewing Directive 2009/148/EC, we wish the EU legislators to consider the following policy actions: • Promote fit testing to help protect respirator wearers: fit testing, an important and straightforward step, helps ensure workers are utilising the full benefits…

The Fédération Française du Bâtiment is attentive to the work currently being carried out by the European Union on safety and health at work, and in particular on the draft revision of Directive 2009/148/EC on exposure to asbestos at work. The FFB would like to comment on one of the options considered in the context of the revision of the asbestos directive to reduce the occupational exposure limit value (OEL).

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) welcomes the opportunity to input to the revision of Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work. The contribution of occupation to the causation of lung cancer has been shown to be considerably larger than for most other common cancers.

Today there are still too many workers and individuals who may or may not be in contact with asbestos. The harmful effects of what asbestos is now and what it does with human bodies are not immediately visible/tangible. And suddenly, those that are close to your heart are no longer part of your life because of the life-threatening effects of asbestos.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

In spite of the overall ban of asbestos in Europe, we still and will face in the future problems with asbestos at workplaces and in the society. From our point of view, a revision of Directive 2009/148/EC is absolutely needed.

Introduction The revision, or setting of, Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) and Biological Limit Values (BLVs) for substances must be done based on sound scientific evidence and via social partner consultation. A careful impact assessment must be made on forthcoming proposals for substances based on the costs and administrative burdens that follow.

The European Builders Confederation (EBC) reiterates its firm belief that workers’ health is a top priority for the construction sector, as construction SMEs take the utmost care to ensure that training and equipment of the highest standards is always provided to workers across the EU.

Recommendations We are conscious that reviewing or developing regulations for managing asbestos in the workplace -while necessary-, will not solely provide the solution to this occupational issue. In addition to asbestos not being in general use in the EU, this needs to be encompassed by a set of measures, including prioritising substitution of carcinogenic substances in the authorisation and restriction processes…

Following the launch of the European Commission’s initiative to improve workers’ health and safety by revising Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work, the International Union of Property Owners wants to reiterate the importance to ensure building occupants’ and workers’ health and safety.

We welcome the increased focus of the Commission and Parliament on this serious issue, which unfortunately still takes the lives of too many people both in Denmark and in the rest of Europe. Looking at and Rørs’ clear belief, there is a need for a European framework directive for national asbestos removal strategies in the EU Member States.

Filed in Danish · English published by the European Commission

ZDH is of the opinion that the current EU legal framework is sufficient, both in terms of REACH Annex XVII restrictions as well as in terms of occupational safety and health legislation. The EU Commission's impact assessment correctly recognises that the main risk from asbestos is in the HANDLING of asbestos, i.e.

SMEunited believes that harmonised implementation of the existing OEL in the relevant sectors is the right approach and should be the first step before considering to further tighten limits, which, in addition, may not be feasible to be implemented in practice by Crafts and SMEs. Additional costs for the sectors more at risk of dealing with asbestos and consumers should be taken into account.

Below are the comments from the Construction Sector of the Services Industrial Professional & Technical Union (SIPTU) in Ireland. Reports over the years indicate that 100,000 people die every year in the EU27+UK of occupational cancer and that exposure to asbestos is a significant factor in these deaths. Asbestos production peaked between the years 1940 and 1985 and was only banned in the EU in 2005.

The BIE (Industrie Industrie Energie Building) represents 300 000 Belgian members of the construction, energy and chemical sectors. It is part of the CSC (1 600 000 Belgian charts). The BIE CSC supports the request to develop a SEETA based on the following pillars: 1) national asbestos removal plans — Request for a European framework 2) detection and maintenance of a register of asbestos — Request for a European…

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The housing sector sees the dangers of improper handling of building materials containing asbestos and the resulting exposure if necessary. Concepts of risk prevention, information and the gradual removal of asbestos from the housing stock have been implemented for years in a conscious sense of responsibility and with a high level of organisational and financial effort.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

AMISUR is pleased to participate in this initiative to improve the health and safety of workers against the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work. Asbestos is killed by lung cancer and mesothelioma, as well as other cancers, every year in the EU. We call for a comprehensive strategy for the safe removal of all asbestos in the EU in order to protect workers.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

We consider the resolution of the European Parliament on P9-TA(2021)0427 “Protection of workers from asbestos” of 20 October 2021 with recommendations to the Commission on the protection of workers from asbestos to be extremely problematic. This makes work on or on materials containing asbestos more difficult or impossible.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The DGUV [German Statutory Accident Insurance] is the umbrella association for professional associations in this branch and governmental accident insurers. It looks after the joint interests of its members and promotes the work they do for the benefit of insured persons and enterprises.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

National CGIL. The debate that has taken place in Europe in recent years has been significant. The Obbiettivo still needs to be reached. The themes of the building union platform focus on a large number of topics that can be widely shared, but I would like to highlight a couple of them. 1) mapping: this is FUNDAMENTAL.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

Opinion on the European Commission’s intended proposal to amend the Directive on asbestos at work (2009/148/EC) We welcome the European Commission’s intended proposal to improve the protection of workers from the risks related to asbestos in the EU and support the proposal of the Employers and Government Interest Group of Working Party Chemicals to set the BOELV at 0.01 F/cm³ (= 10 000 F/m³).

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

ETUC fully supports Commission’s intention to improve the Asbestos at Work Directive by reviewing the binding limit value for asbestos. Asbestos is still present in many European buildings and bedrock in mines, and is a significant health and safety threat for millions of European workers.

In view of the large-scale and widespread use of asbestos in Italy, from the years of post-war reconstruction and economic boom until the early 90s, its removal, in order to reduce and eliminate the risk of contamination, would have required greater impact, both legislative and economic, at least proportionate to its widespread presence and in any event planned.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

When revising the asbestos OEL it is of outmost importance to specify the width of fibres the OEL relates to. The RAC opinion clearly states that also thinner (<0.2 µm) fibres are carcinogenic and should be considered when measuring asbestos exposure.

EPSU is the European Federation of Public Services Unions and represents 8 million workers across Europe, including firefighters and emergency services. Considering this, we believe that we need a binding legislative initiative at EU level and we urge the European Commission to move forward with a comprehensive legislative package. This matter must be treated urgently and considering the different angles.

The Bau-wood trade union in Austria is aware of the dangers that have been and are being caused by asbestos, asbestos substances and processing. For a long time, asbestos was used in construction worldwide. This substance has now been banned in Austria for many years. Where asbestos has been used, proper clean-up and disposal is required, subject to special protection measures.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Asbestos has killed millions of people throughout the 20st century and continues to work in the 21st century. It is high time to amend European legislation to protect all those at risk effectively, whether professionally or simply as a citizen of the European Union. The first important measure to be taken will be to reduce the OEL to 1 fibre per litre and this should be a binding OEL.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

For decades of sea snake, asbestos is still present even if we feel that we are talking less about it. The millions of habitats, offices or agricultural buildings, as they should not be forgotten too, are and will for several decades continue to be dangerous places with a delayed effect for employees who will not be informed and trained in this contamination and its depollution.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE CURRENT STATE The results of the mapping exercise were mixed, not least as a result of the ease with which it is possible to investigate the presence of asbestos in buildings (mainly in the elements of cover, coatings of technological installations and insulation systems).

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

The CDB considers that the current EU legal framework is sufficient both with regard to the restrictions in Annex XVII to REACH and with regard to occupational safety and health legislation. The European Commission’s impact assessment correctly recognises that the main risk of asbestos lies in the HANDHABUTION of asbestos, i.e. when asbestos fibres are distributed during construction works, e.g.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

WKÖ Draft Input on Roadmap for revised OEL for asbestos We welcome the opportunity to voice our opinion and concerns on the occasion of the call for evidence for an impact assessment on a proposal for a Directive on protecting workers from asbestos exposure.

On behalf of the Danish Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine for the EU-process on asbestos: Although a revised OEL is of importance mostly as a signal that asbestos is an important occupational problem, in our experience other tools are probably of greater importance.

Legislative option: We propose to keep the French OEL (occupational exposure limit value) at 10 f/L (fibre/litre). It incorporates the current constraints for implementing measures on dust levels on asbestos sites, while aiming at reducing dust dust to the extent technically possible.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

How hard is it for you to read your own documents? In the Report of 30.01.2013 on asbestos related occupational health threats and prospects for abolishing all existing asbestos (2012/2065 (INI) https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2013-0025_EN.html), rapporteur mr. Stephen Hughes, identifies as well as possible all (approximately) the problems that workers face.

Dear European Commisssion, Dear Lady/Sir, Asbestos 06032022 After reading this Call for Opinions, please provide the professional opinions of our Association below: For the Call for Opinions on "Health and Safety at Work - Protecting Workers from Exposure to Asbestos ", our Association’s Environmental Engineers and Environmental Jurists recommend that you consider and study the following professional statements.

I very much hope that this issue will be taken seriously. My father died of pleural mesothelioma three years ago and was responsible for the maintenance of the Hospital of my municipality of residence. It is the Italian institutions (municipality, region, Senate) each time an attempt has been made to raise the problem. The answer has always been: absorbing silence.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission