Although the least expensive and least difficult, information and training is one of the most important elements of a company's preventive and control program. Investment in industrial ventilation systems, debagging units, enclosed conveyor belts, special hoods, etc, etc., will be rendered meaningless if the work force, including management, supervisors and workers, are not well-informed and trained regarding the important role it has to play in the company's prevention and control program. For example, if a debagging station is poorly maintained, little or nothing will have been gained by purchasing this equipment. However, a properly maintained work station by a well-informed worker, will ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of engineering controls and a spotlessly clean and safe workplace environment.
All categories of personnel involved in the prevention of asbestos-related diseases - such as managers, supervisors, workers and members of the joint health and safety committee - should be given appropriate training. This overall approach will be similar for each level of responsibility, with more emphasis placed on different parts of the program given according to line of duty.
Management must be made aware of the following potential hazards associated with asbestos fibres:
€ the compounded risks associated with smoking and asbestos exposure;
€ general preventive measures;
€ the work stations and jobs requiring special protective measures;
€ personal protective equipment;
€ good industrial hygiene practices;
€ the importance of regular medical check-ups and the reasons for the different medical tests to be undertaken;
€ the need to comply strictly with national regulations regarding the controlled-use of asbestos.
Supervisors should require similar training with some subjects covered in greater detail. These include:
1. The relationship between asbestos exposure and smoking and the risk of lung diseases;
2. Preventive and control measures, including equipment and ventilation controls which are required. The importance of proper maintenance in assuring good ventilation throughout the operation should also be stressed;
3. Special personal protective equipment which may be required for certain types of work, especially for maintenance workers and under conditions where the ventilation system is not operating properly;
4. The need to make available to all workers respirators and other protective equipment, particularly when it is believed that the permissible level may be exceeded. Special training is also required to ensure that all employees use the RPE correctly;
5. Industrial hygiene practices, including the need for air monitoring and the proper interpretation of the results obtained;
6. Health problems, the need for medical examinations, the types of tests required (e.g. X-rays of the thorax, pulmonary function tests), the methods of interpreting these tests and the principles of preventive detection;
7. Caution signs and labels with special emphasis on those areas where special care must be taken to protect workers.
Workers should receive the same type of information as supervisors at the start of employment and periodically thereafter. Concrete examples and case studies should be provided. Particular emphasis should be given to the appropriate preventive and control measures pertinent to each worker's work station. New employees should be rigorously supervised until fully trained.
The information given to workers should be in both written and verbal form, in a language familiar to all employees. Examples of the training pamphlet given to a typical asbestos mine worker in Québec is provided in Appendix-I.
Because the risks of lung disease from asbestos exposure are significantly greater in smoking populations, specific information regarding the nature of this interaction and the general risks of cigarette smoking should be provided to all workers.
An easily visible sign should be posted in all workplaces where asbestos dust is generated. It should clearly identify the hazards of asbestos exposure and the associated health effects.
10.4 JOINT HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE (JHSC)
This committee is essential for the successful development and implementation of a company's preventive and control program. It represents a vehicle of open cooperation between management and labour, whose sole purpose is to achieve and maintain a healthy and safe workplace environment.
The establishment of a joint committee should be mandatory in all chrysotile asbestos operations. At a minimum, the JHSC should consist of 2 or 3 employer representatives and an equivalent number of worker representatives. The committee should meet during regular working hours, at least four times a year, but not more than once a month.
The joint committee has a number of functions. These include the choice of personal protective equipment, training and information programs, choice of occupational physician and approval of the overall health program. It also reviews, on a regular basis, the company's preventive and control programs and makes observations in the following areas:
€ environmental standards, codes and schemes of practice;
€ standard work procedures for existing and new methods of work and equipment;
€ modifications/extensions of the plant;
€ education and training for health and safety;
€ the choice and proper use of protective equipment;
€ maintenance of tools, equipment and processes;
€ the efficient use of ventilation;
€ the hazards related to haulage and hoisting;
€ the use of hazardous chemicals;
€ housekeeping.
Other functions of the joint committee include:
€ participation in the assessment of risks associated with specific job positions and the overall risks of contaminants (fibre);
€ to record accidents and cases of occupational disease as well as incidents which could have caused accidents or disease;
€ to investigate such accidents, diseases and incidents and make recommendations to the employer and government inspection services;
€ to act on employees' suggestions and complaints;
€ to study reports of inspectors;
€ to record statistical data from the physician, the community health services and inspection services.
To be effective, the joint committee should have ready access to all information necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Occasionally, it is hoped that a physician, an industrial hygienist and/or other resource persons should participate in tours of the facilities along with JHSC members, so that they can add insights and perspectives to the joint committee's long-range planning and work.
Committee members will need to have specific training regarding the committee's role and duty to the company. More specialized training may be necessary, particularly with respect to personal protective equipment, air monitoring, national regulations and other aspects of safety.
Warning signs are required and should be located at the entrance to each restricted area. In the asbestos industry, there are three common signs: "No smoking allowed in this area", "The use of respirators is required", and "Coveralls required in this area" (see Appendix-II). Management, supervisors and workers must obey these signs in order to protect themselves from high concentrations of asbestos dust.
The signs and labels must be clear and concise and easy to understand. Pictograms, approved by the health and safety committee, are recommended. Their importance must be explained to the workers. In addition, periodic checks should be done to make sure their use is still valid.
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