Revisión documental de la evolución del sistema de riesgos laborales en el sector de fabricación de tejas de asbesto en Colombia

Abstract

Currently Colombia is an exporter of asbestos due to the natural reservoir of this mineral in some regions of the country, object of mining activity. The aim of this study was to conduct documentary research on the regulations that have been in force for the manufacture of asbestos roof tiles in Colombia, the main diseases related to handling and exposure to mineral and economic impact on the export and import. A compilation of information from primary and secondary sources in different databases was conducted and organized according to topics of interest. The results showed that the most frequent illnesses due to exposure to asbestos were pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, lung cancer, fibrosis and mesothelioma, leading to approximately 110,000 people per year die in the world for some of these diseases. With regard to production, asbestos is still used in Colombia and other countries, which would affect the health of workers and all people exposed to this, however, there is still no proper handling of asbestos, and that make that workers should receive assistance from the state, Occupational Hazards System of Occupational Risks Administrators and contractors have to adopt existing regulations and guidelines that could mitigate the harmful health effects because of asbestos. It was concluded that in Colombia about 320 people die every year because of an illness related to asbestos, this should focus efforts on reducing the use, mineral demand will be reflected in annual export records.