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.
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;
Consolidated version of the amended Grand-Ducal Regulation of 15 July 1988 concerning the protection of workers against the risks associated with exposure to asbestos during work.