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EMPL MEPs ready to protect workers from asbestos! Now it is time for the EP and EC to do the same

27/09/2021

The EMPL Committee voted – by a large majority – for the asbestos occupational exposure limit to be set at 1000 fibres/m3. This is an important first victory for all workers exposed to asbestos. Now it is time for the EP and EC to do the same!

The EFBWW welcomes that, in today’s vote on the legislative report on Protecting Workers from Asbestos (the “Villumsen report”), the EMPL Committee called for a concrete asbestos Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) of 1000 fibres/m3. The EFBWW now calls on the European Parliament to swiftly adopt the legislative report in plenary and on the Commission to make legislative proposals in line with the EP demands.

EFBWW general secretary, Tom Deleu: “This is a very important first victory for all the construction workers, firefighters, miners, and workers in cleaning or waste disposal, who are regularly exposed to asbestos. The deadly heritage of asbestos and cancer cannot be disregarded. We are pleased that the MEPs in the EMPL Committee are ready to protect workers from asbestos.”

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