Asbestos is a fibrous silicate mineral that became widely used in the 20th century due to its tensile strength, thermal stability, thermal resistance and electrical resistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers all forms of asbestos to be carcinogenic to humans. While mining, manufacturing and use of asbestos-containing material (ACM) continues in many parts of the world, more than 60 countries globally have banned the use of asbestos due to its human health impact with respect to development of asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The purpose of this Good Practice Guidance (GPG) is to help increase awareness of the risks of occupational asbestos exposure and of how to address them. It provides high level guidance on:
• The duties of employers, workers/subcontractors, asbestos contractors and vendors;
• Training requirements for working with asbestos;
• Identification of asbestos;
• Managing long term risks of asbestos;
• Working safely with asbestos;
• Managing incidents where asbestos is found;
• Managing the risks of asbestos removal;
• Managing asbestos waste; and
• Managing asbestos waste generated through disasters.
This Good Practice Guidance is not intended to provide a detailed methodology for performing work where asbestos is present. It is recommended that specialist advice be sought to provide a situation-specific detailed methodology and ensure compliance with relevant national legislation and other international best practice requirements.