A proposal is being made to amend the existing regulations on the protection of workers from the risks associated with exposure to asbestos (Legal Notice 123 of 2003).

The amendment is based on the collective understanding of new protective measures for those who are now most at risk, particularly workers who remove asbestos and those who accidentally come across asbestos at work while carrying out servicing and maintenance. These regulations also apply to substitute fibres.

The first of the major changes in this amendment is the inclusion of all workers who might be exposed to asbestos and therefore the previous derogations applicable to the sea and air sectors have been removed.

In addition, the limit value for occupational exposure to asbestos is being reduced, although it has not yet been possible to identify the exposure threshold below which asbestos does not involve a risk of cancer.

In the proposed amendment, asbestos fibres have also been redefined in a clearer way both in mineralogical terms and with regard to their Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number. Moreover, the notification system for activities involving exposure to asbestos will be adapted to new working situations.

Taking account of the latest technical expertise, it was also necessary to specify more precisely the sampling methodology used to measure the asbestos level in air and the method of counting fibres.

Before the commencement of any asbestos removal project, employers will be required to record the presence, or presumed presence, of asbestos in buildings or installations and communicate this information to others who may be exposed to asbestos as a result of its use.

Special training for workers exposed, or likely to be exposed, to asbestos should be provided in order to contribute significantly to reducing the risks related to such exposure.

The actual demolition or removal of asbestos work is to be carried out by companies that are familiar with all the precautions to be taken in order to protect workers.

The content of the exposure register and medical records provided for in LN123 of 2003 has been brought into line with the records referred to in LN122 of 2003 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work.

The practical recommendations on the clinical surveillance of exposed workers is to be updated in the light of the latest medical expertise, with a view to the early detection of pathologies linked to asbestos.

This amendment is also in the light of the more detailed research on limits for exposure to chrysotile and the methods for measuring airborne asbestos undertaken on the basis of the method adopted by the World Health Organisation.

Anyone wishing to make any comments on the proposed amendment is invited to do so by contacting the Occupational Health and Safety Authority at 17 Edgar Ferro Street, Pieta’ MSD 07 or by emailing at [email protected].

A copy of the legislation, together with the proposed amendment, can be obtained from the OHSA offices or downloaded from the OHSA’s website: www.ohsa.org.mt

The deadline for submissions is 18 May 2006.