Occupational Health Management risks due to asbestos among workers in the construction sector, in Spain

BackgroundWe performed a qualitative descriptive and analytical study, following the methodology known Expert Panel.ObjectivesTo identify and analyze the main barriers faced by small construction enterprises and self-employed workers in managing asbestos risks during renovation and demolition work.MethodsThe study was carried out using the Expert Panel (EP) technique with a total of 10 professionals with extensive experience in the Construction and Occupational Risk Prevention Sector.EP is a research technique in which a group of experts on the topic under study meet and reach conclusions and recommendations by consensus.ResultsThis mineral poses a significant environmental and public health problem. The PE identified buildings, industrial facilities, and other locations where asbestos is still evident through visual inspection, and these are included representatively in this publication. Its use in small contractors and self-employed workers focused on minor works and renovations where there may be significant risks from these pollutants. Therefore, in Spain, the number of deaths from Mesothelioma in the last 20 years amounts to 6983 and the models' other researchers add a multiplication factor of 3.8 to this, that is, for every death from mesothelioma, 3.8 more deaths are expected from another pathology associated with asbestos.ConclusionThe experts conclude that there is a need for inventories of buildings and constructions where asbestos is present, more specific health plans and surveillance, as well as the need to implement public policies to encourage asbestos removal.