WHO/Yoshi Shimizu

Occupational health and chemical safety - SEARO

Policy and Programmes

Mission

Support SEAR Member countries to promote workers’ health in all occupations by strengthening the capacity of countries to assess and modify mechanical, physical, chemical, biological, psychological and ergonomic determinants of health at workplace and beyond.

Objective

Promote the development of sound national policies and programmes for health and safety of the workers with emphasis on programmes for underprivileged groups like women, children, migrant workers and workers of informal

Regional Strategy

Gather and utilize data and information on work related diseases accidents and injuries to understand workers’ health situation, identify priorities and monitor progress.
Develop policy and action plans for Workers’ health.
Improver access to occupational health services.
Build capacity at all levels to deliver services
Advocacy and awareness.

Technical links

Multimedia

https://youtube/OTiF3xGXFTI

Related Links

Chrysotile Asbestos

All types of asbestos cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the larynx and ovary, and asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs). Exposure to asbestos occurs through inhalation of fibres in air in the working environment, ambient air in the vicinity of point sources such as factories handling asbestos, or indoor air in housing and buildings containing friable (crumbly) asbestos materials.

Health situation analysis

Chrysotile causes cancer of the lung, larynx and ovary, mesothelioma and asbestosis
No threshold for carcinogenic risks has been identified
Chrysotile is still widely used, and in the Asia-Pacific Region is increasing
Health impacts will be seen for decades to come due to long latency between exposure and disease
Workers and the general public are exposed

High risk activities for chrysotile asbestos exposure

Repackaging of chrysotile containers, mixing with other raw materials and dry cutting of chrysotile-containing products
Installation of asbestos containing products, often related to maintenance of vehicles and uncontrolled domestic products (insulation, roofing materials) which break down over time also exposing the public
Renovation and abatement of hazardous waste, in particular after natural disasters cause damage to buildings

Asbestos-related diseases can and should be prevented

WHO works with countries in the following strategic directions:

Recognizing that the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos
Providing information about solutions for replacing asbestos with safer substitutes and developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate its replacement
Taking measures to prevent exposure to asbestos in place and during asbestos removal
Improving early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services for asbestos-related diseases and establishing registries of people with past and/or current exposure to asbestos

Chrysotile Asbestos - Summary (2014)

Outline for the Development of National Programmes for Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos: elimination of asbestos-related diseases

More Information of Asbestos

Eliminate Lead Paint - International Call for Action 2014

The second International Lead Prevention Awareness Week will take place 19-25 October 2014. Experts gave their voices to the issue of eliminating lead from paint when they met in New Delhi (22-24 September 2014) for the third meeting of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint.

Publications

SDG3 and beyond: healthier environments for healthier populations in the Sustainable Development Goa...

23 August 2019 |

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International workshop to strengthen capacities for sound chemicals management in the WHO South-East...

19 April 2016 |