Asbestos in Hong Kong Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims November 2013

Introduction of Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims (ARIAV) founded in 1981 a non-profit-making charitable organization formed by a group of work injury victims, occupational diseases sufferers and families of industrial fatalities.

Goals a) to fight for the rights of work injury victims, occupational diseases sufferers and families of industrial fatalities, b) to urge the Government to improve the standard of occupational safety and health so as to protect the workers, c) to promote the awareness of occupational safety and health among the general public of Hong Kong.

The use of Asbestos in Hong Kong

The use of asbestos in Hong Kong cars’ braking system electrical products the insulation of the cable in the power station and transformer station

The use of asbestos in Hong Kong Boiler incineration plant building and chimney

The use of asbestos in Hong Kong Housing asbestos based grille panel in balcony and staircase.

The use of asbestos in Hong Kong corrugated cement sheet for the roof in villages

Actions in 2013

Ma Tong Village Asbestos Issue in Jan Media exposed that asbestos were disposed illegally in Ma Tong Village.

Ma Tong Village Asbestos Issue in Jan some asbesto s had been cleaned ; but some were covered by canvas.

Ma Tong Village Asbestos Issue in Jan everywhe re were asbestos fragment

Ma Tong Village Asbestos Issue in Jan Petitioned to the Environment al Protection Department

Ma Tong Village Asbestos Issue in Jan Meeting with Environment al Protection Department Officer

Shek Mun Hong Kong Bank Building Construction Site Issue in Feb Media exposed a construction site used asbestos fireproof carpets

Shek Mun Hong Kong Bank Building Construction Site Issue in Feb Workers were assigned to clean asbestos scrap by hands We promoted asbestos hazards to the workers outside the construction site Workers told us they worried about their health We assisted the involved workers to do a body check

Urged government to enhance disposing asbestos legally and ban all kinds of asbestos

Yin Kong Village Issue in Aug Media exposed Yin Kong Village’s asbestos problem

Yin Kong Village Issue in Aug We found a huge size of asbestos sheet Used as hoardings to separate the fields

Yin Kong Village Issue in Aug Some had been seriously damaged

Yin Kong Village Issue in Aug

Meeting with Environment Protection Department and share our suggestions

Press conference about Banning all kinds of asbestos in Oct Since the government do not announce which building includes asbestos, people cannot protect themselves

Petition and submit a letter to legislative council members in Oct

Conference on Joining Hands to Eliminate Asbestos Hazards in Nov -Conference was launched by Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board -Share our suggestions

Conference on Joining Hands to Eliminate Asbestos Hazards in Nov Our rehabilitation service for the patients and their carers

Media’s interview Media concern the asbestos present situation We assisted them to talk to the patients

Media’s interview Grille panel includes asbestos Investigated in Yin Kong Village with media

Totally ban asbestos in the coming Jun X use X supply X import X transhipment

Asbestosis Compensation

Before 1981, asbestosis compensation were from government, that’s an one-off compensation In 1981, The Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board was established Asbestosis who were suffered after 1981 could get compensation from the board by one-off or two-season

Asbestosis Compensation Since the patients who suffered before 1981 or after 1981 had different compensation, workers request an equal compensation treatment for all asbestosis

Asbestosis Compensation From one-off compensation to monthly compensation Adjust the compensation items Fighting result in 1993

Asbestosis Compensation Request to improve the compensation amount in 2011

Asbestosis Compensation Present compensation items 1. pain, suffering and loss of amenities HKD 3,220/month 2. Compensation for period prior to date of diagnosis 3. Compensation for care and attention 4. Expenses for medical treatment 5. Expenses for medical appliances 6. Compensation for death 7. Funeral expenses, HKD 70,000

Asbestosis rehabilitation Research the rehabilitation needs of asbestosis in result: they had Physical and psychological needs Set up a rehabilitation service (Fun in the community )for asbestosis in 1998, include - exercise - healthy talks - psychological support - gathering - entertainment

Asbestosis rehabilitation Healthy talks

Asbestosis rehabilitation exercise entertainment

Supporting Service to caregivers Start in 2009 To improve patients and caregivers life quality Service areas - intensive counseling service - hotline service - counseling - talks - support group

Supporting Service to caregivers

Medical Surveillance Programme Start in 2011 Encourage workers to do a lung checking, and protect pneumoconiosis and mesothelioma disease

The end Thank you!

The existing asbestos problem in Hong Kong

Private buildings include asbestos

The existing asbestos problem in Hong Kong Asbestos are used generally in villages

The existing asbestos problem in Hong Kong Problem people re- used asbestos in a wrong way, like rails and covers

The existing asbestos problem in Hong Kong Problem Workers dismantle, collect and pack the asbestos in a wrong way Workers broke the large size asbestos sheet into small pieces, the dust will split up

The existing asbestos problem in Hong Kong Public is lack of knowledge of asbestos’ dangerous For the demolition, no compulsory examination to the contractor Contractor will ignore to use a specify process to dismantle and package the asbestos When asbestos was been founded, the contractor just need to report

Our planning

1. Keep monitoring the legislation process of banning all kinds of asbestos 2. Request the government to make a general survey and list out all of asbestos buildings 3. Urge government to label all asbestos buildings and materials

Our planning 4. Push government to build up a exam and report system before contractor to dismantle asbestos buildings. 5. Public education and promotion (target for minorities and villagers ) 6. Fight for improve the compensation and service, e.g. palliative service

Our planning 7. Work with China e.g. education, organizing skills and sharing

Thank you !