The Impact of Asbestos on Workers' Health

3 Nov 2023

At OHSS, we are committed to helping Irish businesses keep their workers safe through expert consultation and asbestos awareness training. Today, we look at the impact that asbestos can have on worker health in light of the EU recently lowering the limit of allowable exposure. 

While it was banned from use in construction many years ago, it remains present in older infrastructure and buildings. Asbestos still takes hundreds of lives each year in Ireland and thousands more across the EU, meaning that reducing contact is essential for safety.

When Is Asbestos Dangerous For Workers? 

Asbestos is the name given to a group of fibrous minerals found in rocks and soil, and it offers a high insulation capacity and resistance to corrosion and fire - hence why it was used so widely. It presents a serious danger to life when its airborne fibres are inhaled when it a) degrades or b) is disturbed during removal or renovation works. 

However, the impact of inhalation is not immediate and can take up to as much as 30 years for symptoms of deadly conditions like mesothelioma to show. Around ¾ of all cases of occupational cancers are related to the material - a primary reason why carrying out an asbestos survey and ongoing asbestos monitoring is essential. 

The Workers Most at Risk of Exposure

Generally speaking, the majority of workers who face the biggest risk of exposure to asbestos work in construction, however, there are other professions that also may come into contact with the material in the course of their role and they include:

• HVAC technicians

• Plumbers & pipefitters

• Insulation professionals 

• Boiler technicians 

• Flooring installers

• Roofers 

As with any type of cancer, catching it early can help with the overall prognosis, but it remains a challenging condition to treat due to its proximity to the body's vital organs. 

Offering the Guidance You Need to Keep People Safe 

You can't afford to take any chances when it comes to exposure to asbestos, which is why strict asbestos regulations exist. As such, if you have any suspicions that the material exists in your workplace, it's essential that you talk to the experts, which means calling the OHSS team on 01 6905907 before doing anything. 

Alternatively, to learn more about the work we do in relation to asbestos safety and occupational hygiene, visit us at www.ohss.ie where you'll find everything you need to know.

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