• Governments and employers push towards safety schemes, which rely on a voluntary approach to health and safety as opposed to the regulation approach preferred by trade unions.

• Methods of working, such as lean manufacturing, that have increased workload, work pace and work hours whilst encouraging understaffing.

• Asbestos kills 100,000 people a year. Thirty-two countries have banned asbestos yet usage is increasing in developing nations.

In addition, delegates will be asked to take action in support of a global asbestos ban. One immediate action delegates are asked to take is to sign a letter that will be sent to their national government, calling for a global ban on the production, import, export and use of asbestos products.