SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 1986
6
ASBESTOS CONTROLS COMING INTO FORCE IN AUGUST
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LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AIMED AT CONTROLLING THE USE OF ASBESTOS IN INDUSTRY WILL COME INTO OPERATION IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE MEASURES, SET OUT IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ASBESTOS) SPECIAL REGULATIONS 1986, WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST MONTH.
+THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE NEW REGULATIONS IS TO PROTECT WORKERS EMPLOYED IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN PROCESSES INVOLVING THE USE OF ASBESTOS IN VIEW OF THE ASSOCIATED SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARDS, + MR YIP SAID.
+WORKERS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO PROLONGED INHALATION OF ASBESTOS DUST IN CONTAMINATED ENVIRONMENT OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WOULD CONTRACT ASBESTOSIS AND MESOTHELIOMA.-
HE SAID THE NEW REGULATIONS WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF CROCIDOLITE (BLUE ASBESTOS) AND AMOSITE (BROWN ASBESTOS) AND SPRAYING OF MATERIALS CONTAINING ASBESTOS.
PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS USING ASBESTOS PROCESSES, ON THE OTHER HAND, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO GIVE NOT LESS THAN 28 DAYS' WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OF AN INTENTION TO USE SUCH PROCESS AND TO USE EXHAUST VENTILATION EQUIPMENT OR, WHERE THAT IS IMPRACTICABLE, ENSURE THAT ALL WORKERS ARE PROVIDED WITH, AND USE, APPROVED RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.
THEY MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT THE PLANT AND PREMISES ARE KEPT CLEAN AND FREE OF ASBESTOS DUST AND THAT LOOSE ASBESTOS OR ASBESTOS WASTE IS RECEIVED, DESPATCHED OR DISTRIBUTED IN A CLOSED RECEPTACLE WHICH MUST BEAR A WARNING NOTICE.
+THE REGULATIONS ALSO PROHIBIT THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN ANY PROCESS INVOLVING ASBESTOS AND REQUIRE THAT WORKERS MUST BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED BEFORE BEING ENGAGED IN AN ASBESTOS PROCESS AND BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER, HE ADDED.
MR YIP SAID THE NEW REGULATIONS WOULD COME INTO OPERATION OV AUGUST 1 BECAUSE MANY PROPRIETORS WOULD NEED TIME TO INSTALL EXHAUST VENTILATION SYSTEMS OR ACQUIRE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS.
→BREACH OF THE REGULATIONS THEREAFTER WILL BE AN OFFENCE AND BE LIABLE TO FINES VARYING FROM $10 000 TO $30 000, DEPENDING ON THE GRAVITY OF THE OFFENCES,+ HE SAID.
/MR YIP