“Far from being a problem of the past, asbestos is still produced in many countries and is still widely used, and it is present in many existing buildings and structures, including ships,” said the guide’s author Robin Townsend, LR regulatory affairs lead specialist. “Most countries still do not have effective prohibitions and global production is still over 40% of peak values. It is imperative that we see further and substantial improvements in regulatory enforcement and a reduction in asbestos related mortality.
“What is vital is that we continue to guard against the risks that asbestos presents within the maritime industry, and we very much hope this publication will further in this aim,” added Robin.
The guide details the health effects of the substance, detailing asbestos-related regulation and suggesting tools that can be used to achieve best practice in asbestos management. The company cites a UK study which estimated a 61% increased incidence of asbestos related illness in shipyard workers, and a similar study in Italy, showed that of 153 men who had died of malignant mesothelioma 99 had worked in shipbuilding 19 had been in the navy/merchant marine and 7 had been dockworkers.
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