Chemicals are a part of everyday life, whether used in your home or work environments. From cleaners and solvents, to corrosives and numerous other substances, many chemicals pose a risk to the handler.

As the younger generations enter the workforce in larger and larger numbers, some companies fear the added burden of youthful employees. In a recent report by HSE, this concern is highlighted by the pattern of avoidance in hiring inexperienced workers.

In Ireland, with the ongoing threat of asbestos exposure within buildings constructed prior to the ban in 1999, illegal dumping of old and damaged asbestos containing materials is also a rising concern. In many instances, when companies are uneducated about these hazardous materials, improper asbestos disposal occurs.

As of the turn of the century, the use, re-use, or sale of asbestos containing materials and product has been prohibited in Ireland. However, as so many materials containing asbestos have already been installed or have been in use prior to the regulations, a lot do still remain in place, and can even until they are at risk of damage or reach the end of their life.

When safety issues arise, having a plan in place is the key to handling the situation in a safe and effective manner. A safety consultant has extensive knowledge about a wide variety of safety issues in many environments. They will inspect workplaces and evaluate the building to ensure all safety codes are being met.

The construction industry in Ireland is home to many health and safety concerns, and one of the greatest concerns that persist to this day is the threat of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is still known to be the biggest killer in the workplace, and it can take years for any symptoms to appear

Asbestos fibres are extremely versatile, durable, heat resistant, and nearly indestructible. Because of this, asbestos fibres have often been combined with many other materials for different industrial, automotive, and building products. It has also been used in common home appliances, such as portable heaters and even some handheld hair dryers.

In the latest asbestos news from Ireland you may have heard about the recent case against Dale Farm in Dungannon. The dairy firm has recently pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety regulations, in a case that was taken to court by the Health and Safety Executive (HSENI). With a lapse of regulation and a deficiency in communication, two engineers were regrettably exposed to asbestos fibres during work at the company’s Creamery.

Asbestos can be a worrisome source of despair and potential ill health for many who have had the unfortunate circumstance of exposure to asbestos fibres. Inhalation of this toxic material means a concern for future ailments, such as Mesothelioma.

As Ireland is still at risk for asbestos materials, knowing how to avoid asbestos dust is perhaps the most important piece of knowledge concerning this scenario. Damage and disturbance can occur in many situations, such as during demolition, maintenance, repair and remodelling. When it does occur, it is best to keep the area in question clear of traffic and keep activities to a minimum, in order to avoid further disturbing the materials and possibly creating airborne fibres.