Generally speaking, asbestos containing materials (ACMs), such as asbestos-cement roofs, do not seem to pose a health risk to occupants, provided they are maintained in good condition and the materials are not disturbed in any way (by processes such as cutting, drilling, high pressure water cleaning, etc). Only if the ACMs are disturbed by such processes in an uncontrolled manner, and fibres get dispersed into the air and inhaled, there might be a significant health risk.

The Asbestos Regulations require that any ACMs in a building are kept in good condition and an inventory is kept on the premises of their location, condition and extent. Any person performing work on these materials must be informed and trained, and take the necessary precautions (such as wearing a respirator mask and wetting the material beforehand) to minimize the risk and protect their health.

The current asbestos legislation requires that any removal of asbestos and asbestos containing materials (ACMs) is carried out by a Department of Labour Registered Asbestos Contractor (RAC) under controlled conditions. Work on ACM can be done by persons other than RAC, provided they follow the work safe procedures as outlined in the Regulations (see particularly section 15).

See Asbestos Regulations, List of RACs and Information Pamphlet below.

For further information on RACs, contact the Department of Labour

Deputy Director Occupational Health and Hygiene
IES Branch
Department of Labour
Phone: (012) 309 4387 Fax; (012) 309 4763
www.labour.gov.za

Asbestos is an inert material and does not have any smell. It is a serious health risk when dry asbestos fibre dust is present in the air. However, if the ceiling does contain asbestos and is deteriorating it should be repaired, sealed and replaced. There is a legal obligation to keep a register of any asbestos materials on site and only DoL Registered Asbestos Contractors are allowed to remove/ replace asbestos containing materials. Any work on asbestos materials must be performed by trained personnel, taking the necessary precautions.

Exposure to asbestos has been linked to the development of serious lung diseases, among them cancer and asbestosis (asbestosis is more linked to heavy, occupational exposure). What is common to all asbestos related diseases is a long latency period, i.e. disease only manifest years after being exposed (typically 15-50 years) following exposure. It is therefore, very unlikely that your children falling ill, is in anyway asbestos related.

It is stated in the Asbestos Regulations:

Under 15(1):

Cleaning is done under controlled conditions ensuring that

1. Dry-brushing, scraping, sanding and abrasion techniques are not used;
2. Where reasonably practicable, high-pressure water jetting is not used unless in conjunction with a suitably profiled hood that limits dispersal of contaminated water and, if the said jetting is used, that suitable control methods are used in accordance with regualtion 13(2)(b); and
3. When fungicidal solution or moss killer is applied, a standing time of 24 hours or any other period specified by the manufacturer is allowed, and a low-pressure hose is used after such a period to keep the sheets wet whilst employing a stiff broom any similar means to remove any moss or lichens.

Under 13(2):

With regard to the contamination of water with asbestos

1. That any water that is contaminated with asbestos as a result of work being performed is passed through a filtration system before being released into any environment or water system; and
2. That a suitable water filtration system is used which will ensure that the asbestos being released or entering into any environment or water system is reduced as far as is reasonably practicable;
3. That contaminated parts of the filtration system, when discarded, are disposed of as asbestos waste; and
4. That appropriate measures are taken to prevent the release of asbestos dust into the environment arising from the transport of asbestos.

At present, the NIOH does not have an accredited method for determining asbestos fibre volume in soil.

Since 2008, it is a legal offence to sell asbestos containing materials.

As specified in the Asbestos Regulations, 2001, working or dismantling of asbestos cement products must be carried out under strict controlled conditions to prevent exposure to asbestos fibres and environmental contamination. These conditions are stipulated particularly in sections 15, 11 and 13 of the Regulations.

For further advice you can contact:

Elize Lourens
Deputy Director Occupational Health and Hygiene
IES Branch, Department of Labour
Phone: (012) 309 4387; Fax: (012) 309 4763
Email: elize.lourens@labour.gov.za
Website: www.labour.gov.za

Our Pathology Division does the asbestos identification in bulk samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their contact details are:

Prof Jim Phillips:
Email: jim.phillips@nioh.nhls.ac.za

Tel: 011 712 6425
Trudie Vorster:
Email: trudie.vorster@nioh.nhls.ac.za
Tel: 011 712 6416
Ntebogeng Kgokong
Email: ntebogeng.kgokong@nioh.nhls.ac.za
Tel: 011 712 6465

If you are planning to clean your roof before painting, do not use any abrasive materials or high pressure water jets that may result in release of fibres into the environment.

Downloads

1. Asbestos FAQ
2. Asbestos Regulations 2001
3. DoL Criteria for registration as asbestos contractor
4. Registered Asbestos Contractors
5. DoL Guide for the application process of registering as an asbestos contractor
6. Wits MPH Brochure
7. Noise in the Workplace and Buy Quiet NIOH flyer
8. Environmental Enquiry Registration Form (Asbestos Relief Trustr and Kgalagadi Relief Trust)
9. Guidelines for Environmetal Claimants
10. Approved Inspectoin Authorities

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that, due to its fire protection and thermal insulation properties, has been extensively used in buildings. Despite its excellent properties, asbestos is also a serious hazard to health and causes many thousands of deaths every year, globally. Although asbestos is now banned in South Africa and other countries, the legacy of asbestos, hidden in various shapes and forms, will remain with us for many years to come, threatening lives at home and at work.

Asbestos, often mixed with cement, was mostly used in buildings and can be found in roofs, gutters, pipes, boilers, ceiling tiles, insulation boards, sprayed coatings and many other products. In fact, asbestos was so popular during the past century that more than 3000 articles contained it, some of which are still found in their original form in our home, work and environment.

The Occupational Hygiene Section of the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) provides a comprehensive range of asbestos-related services and advice throughout Southern Africa, including consultation, training, asbestos surveys, monitoring and evaluation. Contact details are provided below.

Don’t start work if:

• You are unsure or suspect that the material you will work on might contain asbestos;
• Asbestos is present but you have not been trained to work safely with it and you don’t have the proper safety equipment;
• You suspect that high risk material (e.g. lagging, insulation material, sprayed coatings) is present – only approved asbestos contractors can work on these.

Work with asbestos only if:

• You have been properly trained;
• The risk to health has been assessed and there is a written work plan;
• You have the correct equipment and tools to minimise dust, such as:
  1. Means to wet the material
  2. Hand tools instead of power tools
  3. Vacuum cleaner with the correct dust filtering system
  4. Appropriate means of decontamination and waste disposal
• You have the correct protective equipment, such as:
  1. A properly fitted and suitable respirator
  2. Suitable disposable gloves and overalls
  3. Boots without laces, or disposable boot cover

Don’t:

• Create dust
• Use compressed air for cleaning
• Smoke, eat or drink in the work area
• Disturb asbestos if you can help it!

• The South African Department of Labour Asbestos Regulations (No.155 of 2002) prohibit an employer or a self-employed individual from carrying out work that will put any person at risk from asbestos exposure.
• The Regulations also require that, where asbestos forms part of a building, plant or premises, steps are taken to ensure that the asbestos is identified and that potential exposure of any person to the fibres is prevented or adequately controlled.
• No work is allowed to take place on asbestos or ACMs before a written work plan has been devised and the necessary precautionary measures have been taken.
• Demolition or removal of asbestos and ACMs can only be carried out by an approved asbestos contractor.
• To view the South African Department of Labour Asbestos Regulation click here

Any person that, knowingly or unknowingly, performs work on asbestos or ACM, and any person that happens to be in the vicinity of such work, is in danger. Particularly at risk are people in the building and construction related professions such as roofing contractors, heating and ventilation engineers, building and demolition contractors, electricians, plumbers, joiners, tradesmen, carpenters, painters, etc.

Asbestos is a risk to health only when the fibres are dispersed in the air and inhaled into the lungs. When asbestos is contained within another material and fibres are not liberated, the risk to health is minimal., However, any work or process that disturbs the fabric of the asbestos-containing material (ACM) and that releases fibres, such as drilling, cutting, high pressure cleaning, demolishing or even natural deterioration and weathering of the ACM, introduces a serious threat to human health. Materials that are made from pure asbestos or that contain high percentages of asbestos, such as insulation and lagging material, are far more dangerous than low percentage ACMs, such as asbestos-cement products.

Asbestos in buildings is present in either loose, friable form (such as loose insulation material) or, more often, hidden within another material (such as asbestos cement products). Fibres might be visible in the friable form but are seldom seen in asbestos-cement and similar products. In both cases it is not possible to identify asbestos with certainty by visual examination alone and laboratory analysis is often required. Since March 2008 asbestos is effectively banned in South Africa, and it is unlikely to find asbestos containing materials in buildings constructed after that year. The golden rule is always: when in doubt assume the material contains asbestos!

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that worldwide there are more than 100 000 asbestos related deaths per year and that, currently, 125 million workers are exposed to the deadly fibre. In the United Kingdom, the death toll is estimated at approximately 3 500 per year and, in the USA, 10 000 per year. This is nothing less than a global epidemic! In South Africa about 200 mesothelioma cases are reported per year but this is most likely an underestimate considering the magnitude of mining and processing that took place in a country that was a leading global supplier of all types of asbestos.

Asbestos fibres inhaled into the lungs may cause a range of serious lung diseases, including asbestosis (scarring of the lung), lung cancer and mesothelioma (a malignant and fatal tumour that grows on the lining of the lung). Early symptoms of disease may include chest pain and shortness of breath, leading in more advanced stages, to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest and death. What is important to remember is that it may take 15 to 50 years from first contact with the asbestos fibre for disease to develop. During this long “dormant” period no symptoms are experienced and when the disease is diagnosed it is fatal, as there is no cure.

Asbestos, often mixed with cement, was mostly used in buildings and can be found in roofs, gutters, pipes, boilers, ceiling tiles, insulation boards, sprayed coatings and many other products. In fact, asbestos was so popular during the past century that more than 3000 articles contained it, some of which are still found in their original form in our home, work and environment.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that, due to its fire protection and thermal insulation properties, has been extensively used in buildings. Despite its excellent properties, asbestos is also a serious hazard to health and causes many thousands of deaths every year, globally. Although asbestos is now banned in South Africa and other countries, the legacy of asbestos, hidden in various shapes and forms, will remain with us for many years to come, threatening lives at home and at work.

The Department of Labour (DoL) is the responsible body for Registered Asbestos Contractors. For further information, you can contact:

Deputy Director Occupational Health and Hygiene
IES Branch
Department of Labour
Phone: (012) 309 4387 Fax: (012) 309 4763
www.labour.gov.za