The Association was a participant at a one day stakeholder’s consultation forum by NEMA on the draft asbestos guidelines.The main objective of the workshop was to come up with guidelines that will help protect the environment and minimise the risk of asbestos to workers and the general public.

Asbestos is a hazardous material with extremely fine fibres and can remain in the air for hours. If handled without caution, it may cause serious chronic health problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer among others. When left intact and un disturbed, asbestos materials do not pose a health risk. It becomes a problem when due to damage, disturbance, or deterioration over time the material releases fibres into the air. Exposure to air containing the fibres increases the risk of inhaling the fibres and developing the associated diseases.

There is increase removal and disposal of asbestos roofing materials due to global awareness of the negative health effects, deterioration of asbestos sheets overtime and increased drive towards roof water harvesting. The removal and disposal of asbestos has not been done in accordance with any guideline.

In order to increase awareness and to reduce or eliminate the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres and thus the risk of disease, a consistent approach to management of asbestos especially handling, demolitions and repairs is required.