Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral fibre, which was once used frequently due to its low cost and its physical and chemical properties.

It is characterised by extremely fine fibres, and a range of properties:

• Thermal (e.g. fire resistant)
• Acoustic (e.g. acoustic insulation)
• Chemical (e.g. resistance to acids)
• Mechanical (e.g. resistance to abrasion)

Its wide range of applications, combined with this material’s resistance, means there is a continued risk of exposure to these dangerous fibres while at work.

Asbestos was long-considered a miracle product since it was cheap and had exceptional qualities. It was used extensively for over 130 years. Several thousand products containing asbestos were manufactured for industrial and domestic use.

Bans on the marketing and use of asbestos fibre

In view of the general ban on marketing, the risk of exposure in Luxembourg is limited to remediation, demolition or maintenance works, a risk that is nonetheless considerable, unless specific precautions are taken.

1986: Partial ban on the marketing and use of "crocidolite" asbestos fibre and products containing it.

1988: Ban on the spray-application of asbestos by "flocking".

1994: Ban on the marketing and use of crocidolite, amosite anthophyllite, actinolite and tremolite asbestos fibre and products containing asbestos, and a partial ban on the marketing and use of "chrysotile" asbestos fibre and products containing it.

2001: Ban in Luxembourg. There is a general ban on the marketing and use of asbestos fibre and products containing it, with the exception of products that had already been installed and/or were in use prior to the ban, which continue to be authorised until they are removed or reach the end of their useful life.

Relevant legislation

The aim of Title V, Book III of the Labour Code – The protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents, is:

• to protect employees against risks to their health and safety;
• to prevent any such risks that employees are exposed to, or may be exposed to, while at work;

Texte coordonné du règlement grand-ducal modifié du 15 juillet 1988 concernant la protection des travailleurs contre les risques liés à une exposition à l'amiante pendant le travail. [Coordinated text of the amended Grand-Ducal Regulation of 15 July 1988 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work]

Training

Training is required for all activities in which employees are exposed to or could be exposed to asbestos dust or materials containing asbestos.

This training is offered by several training companies and must be followed prior to commencing any work involving exposure to asbestos.

For the removal of asbestos cement in the open air, a company official must follow an 8 hour training course and must train the company's employees.

For any other asbestos-removal work, a training course of 20 hours minimum is required. This course must be taken by the company official and by all of the employees that will work on the asbestos-removal site.

After successful completion of the end-of-training assessment, a certificate will be issued by the ITM.