Toolkits, manuals and guides

Asbestos Health and Safety Requirements

27 January 2021
Asbestos Health and Safety Requirements

To reduce the risk of asbestos exposure to people handling debris from the Beirut blast, UNDP and UNEP co-developed guidance materials in English and Arabic to raise awareness on protective measures. 

This guideline comprises four major components:

  1. Key points for the safe handling of asbestos;
  2. Dedicated asbestos disposal site selection and development;
  3. Pre-requirements when coming into contact with asbestos-containing materials; and
  4. Personal decontamination

Key points for the safe handling of asbestos include:

  1. Provide protective equipment and training;
  2. Do not disturb, break or cut it if possible;
  3. Do not burn it;
  4. Wet it;
  5. Cover it; and
  6. Wrap it up.

In addition to this guideline, UNDP and UNEP have also co-developed asbestos transportation guidelines.