Document qdoqrR1eE17XDdpYn4NdNb8wj

'ijljjb'. `tiM'XW TIOJ W UWuiiiMMl FOR RELEASE AT 1) . TO am., FRIDAY, MAY 19th, 1967* ASDKSTOS INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES NEW MEASURES TO PROTECT HEALTH ' " v.-` - . _ ' ,5,.^. ` . - ' 1 " * ' -i ,i The British Asbestos Industry, in a statement issued today, announced the following new measures to ensure the greatest possible protection of those working with or handling asbestos against nny possible risks to health: 1) Dust-proof packaging All asbestos fibre is now shipped to the U.K* in dust-proof bags. In addition, all blue asbestos is being shipped on pallets which can be handled mechanically. These arrangements will make asbestos entirely safe to handles in transit. 2) Blue Asbestos The industry is urgently examining afresh the U9e of blue asbestos for processes and products where tlioro is the slightest risk of the omission of rosplr-ihb- (hint, with the intention of limiting its use and rendering the processes and products themselves safe beyond nny doubt. . ISSUCD BY HILL fc KNOWlTfiN INTERNATIONAL PU0UC RELATIONS COUNSEL ON BEHALF OF THE BRITISH ASBESTOS INDUSTRY r t ,,v; \! >'* 'VV* -r - - *--------- V- df b " ................- '` ' -j ' -2 - 3) ttodtc.il. Research *'i sum of 100,000 has been allocated to the Asbora.,'sir. lVmMrch Council for an expanded programme of research into means of prevention of risks to health over the next five years. This is in addition to the 500,000 already being spent each year by tin1 three largest enmnanios in the industry alone on research into these Questions, on medical services and on equipment for the protection of their own employees. 4) Codes Tractice C~dcs of Practice similar to that already introduced for the insulation industry have been prepared ami ooblishod for the building industry and are beinq prepared for the ship building and other industries which use asbestos. By extending the standards of safety already existing in the asbestos industry itself the adoption of these Codes of Practice will ensure that those who work with asbestos in other industries arc properly protected. 5) Asbestos Information Committee Further steps will be taken if their desirability is revealed by research. in the meantime the industry is setting up an Asbestos Information Committee to ensure that the facts are readily available to the public. The statement also points out that* There is no known risk to the general public from asbestos materials in ordinary use. :MMiii * ?* .*-* ; '';~-'S/.::' -... .., * 7 - f 4--2s.* **/ w:- - - - - %, .. Oh--- ' '' '. j. 4 . * ! . :v`.j ' ---I 'i ----- V-iV -3Asboston ls in < :;ucnLi.il' minotnl \n many modern proci'nscn arid product:;, F^r whlH nn aubetitute has been found. Asbestos makon an indispensable contribution to safety, for example in vehicle brake lininqs and in fireproof partitions. The risks to health associated with asbestos have been understood f-r many years, and asbestosis among factory workers has boon successfully controlled. Mesothelioma, which may sometimes be associated with blue asbestos, is a very rare disease. Imports of blue represent only 2^% of the total asbestos imports into the U.K. Making tills announcement in London today, Mr. John Waddell, (Chairman c-C Turner brothers Asbestos Company Limited) who is Chairman of the newly formed Asbestos Information Committee said: "1 am si: ikim fir all my colleagues in the industry when I say that via fully appreciate the concern which has recently arisen over risks to health from asbestos. There are many essential materials and processes In modern Industry which involve same degree of risk, and this I believe everyone accepts. The important thing is that the ri3ks should be understood, controlled, and reduced to the absolute minimum. In the asbestos industry :n; have been actively conscious for many years of our responsibilities in this matter, and our latest measures are an important step forward in the protection of all who work with asbestos. In the modern world we cannot live without asbestos; we are learning to live safely with it". .../ fr- t V tr-"'- i .A * r TM13 statement is issued jointly by the following British f irms: 1'irner *. Newell Limited C.-^po Asbestos Company Limited ' D.B.a. Group Limited <>-ntral Asbestos Company Limited For further information please contact: I'll.- .Vil>.::(ns, information Committee 10 Wardour Street, London, w.l. ' Tel: REGent 7617 (Evening and weekend Tel: SLOane 2435) it- I 1 ........... . . .. .i lSe>- ' - * r.vi . -. .. . y. ... fk *