It's now generally known that the main cause of mesothelioma cancer is essentially due to exposure (both direct as well as cross contamination) of asbestos elements. Such elements or materials (depending on its physical state) can be formally found in common fittings as well as in your surrounding environment.

While one can easily say that workers engaged in certain industries or trade handling or working with asbestos materials should be adequately protected. Specifically, what level of protection as well as precaution should be undertaken?

Before we go further let's look at the work station environment you are currently deployed at: Is it naturally ventilated (as in a workplace with generous amount of window openings) or mechanically ventilated (is your workplace air-conditioned or provided with other means of positive pressure ventilation)? Is every staff well spaced out? Is the machinery used by each staff well spaced out as well?

Your work environment needs to be adequately assessed as this will next have an influence on the level of personal protection you'll need to provide for your staff or yourself (depending whether you're working in a large organization or whether you're self employed). Generally, a work environment which has work stations or desks located too close to one another, is in a humid room, or situated in a humid state will affect the propagation of asbestos particles.

Ideally, a well balanced form of workplace ventilation should be practiced. While air-conditioning the whole workplace maybe costly in the long run and thus not feasible, this form of balance can be compensated with adequate window openings properly planned out with your contractor or space planner. In addition, the choice of lighting also plays a part in influencing the room temperature. Do note that certain light fixtures do generate a greater amount of heat particularly with lots of them located within the same compartment.

The rate of release of asbestos particles is not only dependent on the room temperature, but is also dependent on the level of work being exercised upon. By this, we're referring to the rate of production of such asbestos components (such as gypsum board manufacturing, etc.). While it may not be prudent to slow down the rate of production in the name of workplace safety and health (then again, it depends on who and where you're working for), the provision of suitable personal protective equipment (or PPE) shall come into play.

At the minimal level, a proper individually-fitted N95 level face mask along with safety goggles should be provided for the upper chest level, followed by proper safety shoes along with industrial-grade work gloves for the limbs. The rest of the body should be covered in a proper overall. This is in line with general OSHA requirements with regards to managing or working with substances that have a propagating effect and minimizes entrance of asbestos particles to through your breathing extremities. With all this in place, you'll now start to understand why your workplace needs to be properly ventilated, not just to minimize the spread of asbestos particles, but also for the sake of personal work comfort which will also influence an individual's work concentration level when operating a machinery or cutting tool.

Prior toleaving your workplace, ensure that all the PPE listed above is properly stored in a well ventilated designated storage room and your overalls are sent for washing. Needless to say, it would be strongly advisable that you and your staff take a shower before heading out as well.

These are just some of the preventive measures one can consider in minimizing the occurrence of mesothelioma cancer.

(Note: readers must be aware that the views expressed above are those of the author and should not be considered as legal advice or grounds to pursue legal judgement. Visit our website to find out more on mesothelioma and asbestos solutions.)