BSU to raise awareness of asbestos hazards

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Even as the UAE has implemented legislations banning all asbestos contained materials, there is an exception to asbestos cement water pipes.

Hence, Build Safe UAE (BSU) has formed an asbestos focus group to raise awareness in the construction industry about the existing legislations and the hazards of asbestos, said Charles Faulkner, Principal Consultant at WSP Environment and Energy and the group leader.

The initial focus group will explain the impact of asbestos regulations upon construction stakeholders in Dubai. It consists of 15 members from firms such as WSP Environment & Energy, Nakheel, Bovis Lendlease, Arup, EllisDon, Pell Frischmann and Johnson Controls.

"Around 100,000 people die worldwide every year due to asbestos exposure - the figure is more than skin cancer. In the UK itself, 4,000 people die every year," said Faulkner.

He said the second focus group will look specifically to open up consultation with construction stakeholders that are actively involved in asbestos-related works such as site clearance, demolition, infrastructure installation and refurbishment of older buildings. There will be three separate briefings starting from this month.

"By volume, there is more asbestos here than in the UK. The asbestos here is different to what you find back in the UK. It is usually asbestos cement and is classified as a lower risk. There is also legislation but it did not come into effect till 2006 and there is low awareness and a possibility that it is present in projects before that period. Besides, the current law only applies to asbestos boards. So it is legal to use water pipes for water supplies and sewage," said Faulkner. "Hence we are working with Build Safe UAE to create greater awareness among the 90 signatories of BSU."

He was quick to point out that asbestos cement does not leach into the water in the pipes. "There will be small amounts of fibre, which is not a danger. The Ministry decision 42 of 2008, also specifies that the Dubai MunicipalityDubai Municipality has to undertake tests of the water to see how much fibre flows through form the pipes."

"The problem is when you inhale it. It is the workers installing the pipes who are exposed to danger when their power tools create huge levels of asbestos fibres in the air. We will try to create greater awareness to ensure that each company involved in such activities should have safe systems at work," he said.

So far, the Environmental Protection and Safety Section and the Building Department at the Dubai MunicipalityDubai Municipality have produced two asbestos management- related documentation.

By Sona Nambiar

© Emirates Business 24/7 2009