Hidden dangers of dust, PCBs, asbestos and co.
According to recent reports by the BG BAU, asbestos is still one of the most common causes of illness and death in connection with work-related illnesses. The figures have even risen steadily in recent years. According to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), wherever old buildings are involved, factors such as climate change or the changing demographic structure of our society are causing pressure to modernize, which inevitably brings many occupational groups into direct or indirect contact with this substance.
Health risks due to renovation work
According to the BMAS, this contact poses undisputed health risks for employees. Some building materials that have been used for years due to their excellent construction properties are now even known to be carcinogenic. One example alongside asbestos is PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). The consequences often only become apparent after a delay of ten to 40 years. Long-term consequences for employees, such as asthma and cancer, are recognized as occupational diseases by the employers’ liability insurance associations.
Construction dust is still often taken for granted, but it also leads to health problems for employees. It is therefore important to minimize general dust exposure on construction sites.
Risk assessment as the be-all and end-all for protecting employees
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) states: “Even under extreme time pressure, it is important to check for the presence of harmful substances in buildings before starting work. This not only preserves health at present, but also protects against long-term consequences and incapacity to work. A check is also important for building owners, clients and the tradesmen carrying out the work, as checking for harmful substances in advance enables better planning and cost calculation. Simple questions such as
– How old is the building?
– What work is to be carried out exactly?
– What are the properties of the pollutants?
The next step is to carefully examine which protective measures are best suited for carrying out the work as safely as possible.
Safe execution of the renovation work
It is not possible to describe a general procedure for working with materials containing asbestos, as they can vary greatly from case to case. However, it is always essential that the employer informs the employees about the existing risks and the necessary protective measures before starting work.
Ideally, the technical framework conditions should be set in such a way that low-dust processes are used directly. If the release of asbestos or dust cannot be avoided despite these technical measures, additional organizational and personal protective measures must be taken, such as sealing off work areas and setting up personnel and material airlocks.
The described sequence of protective measures is referred to as TOP (Technical, Organizational, Personal Measures) and must be implemented consistently in all work steps.
Further information and contact points for help with asbestos at work or at home
Tips and practical assistance on the topics of risk assessment and instruction are available in varying degrees of detail. These include technical rules, rules from the accident insurance institutions and the relevant employers’ liability insurance associations, as well as special brochures and industry solutions such as those from BG BAU on the subject of asbestos.
The brochure “Less quartz dust on construction sites” also provides a simple guide to avoiding dust on construction sites. The proposed solutions integrated here are not only suitable for trades and the topic of quartz dust, but also for private renovation work.
Further information on dealing with asbestos is also available on the BAuA’s asbestos information platform, which also examines the topic in its entirety.
Source: Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS)