MONDAY, JULY 14, 1986
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+THELE PROCESSES MAY GIVE RISE TO SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS IF ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ARE NOT TAKEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
*WORKERS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO PROLONGED INHALATION OF ASBESTOS FIBRES COULD CONTRACT ASBESTOSIS WHICH IS A DISEASE OF PROGRESSIVE FIBROSIS OF THE LUNGS, WITH INCREASING RESPIRATORY DISABILITY, HE ADDED.
THE LAW ALSO PROHIBITS THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN ANY PROCESSES INVOLVING ASBESTOS AND REQUIRES WORKERS TO BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED BEFORE BEING ENGAGED IN AN ASBESTOS PROCESS AND BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED PERIODICALLY THEREAFTER.
AS FOR THE USE OF ASBESTOS OTHER THAN CROCIDOLITE AND AMOSITE, PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE REQUIRED BY THE NEW REGULATIONS TO:
* GIVE NOT LESS THAN 28 DAYS' NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IF THEY INTEND TO USE SUCH PROCESS AFTER AUGUST 1: AND IN THE CASE OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN CARRYING OUT SUCH PROCESS AT PRESENT, INFORM THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER AUGUST 1;
* USE EFFICIENT EXHAUST EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT ENTRY OF
ASBESTOS DUST INTO THE AIR;
* ENSURE ALL WORKERS ARE PROVIDED WITH, AND USE, APPROVED
RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING;
* KEEP THE PLANT AND PREMISES CLEAN AND FREE OF ASBESTOS
DUST AND
* ENSURE THAT LOOSE ASBESTOS OR ASBESTOS WASTE IS
HANDLED IN A CLOSED RECEPTACLE WHICH MUST BEAR A WARNING NOTICE.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT BREACH OF ANY OF THE REGULATIONS WILL BE AN OFFENCE AND THE OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO FINES VARYING FROM $10 000 TO $30 000, DEPENDING ON THE GRAVITY OF THE OFFENCES.
TO ASSIST PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS IN COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THESE REGULATIONS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A CODE OF PRACTICE ON CONTROL OF ASBESTOS AT WORK WHICH IS AVAILABLE FREE AT THE DEPARTMENT'S BRANCH OFFICES.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE USE AND CONTROL OF ASBESTORS MAY BE MADE TO THE DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
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