§ Mr. McMahonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the recent standards set by the Health and Safety Commission on asbestosis; and whether they are being implemented by the Turner and Newall Syndicate.
§ Mr. Waddington:The exposure limits for asbestos will be reduced to 1 fibre/ml for chrysotile and 0.5 fibre/ml for amosite as from 1 January 1983. The limit for crocidolite remains at 0.2 fibre/ml. These limits will apply to all work activities involving exposure to asbestos. If employers cannot introduce engineering controls to meet the new limits by 1 January 1983 suitable protective equipment will be required to be provided and worn.
§ Mr. McMahonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce a scheme, analogous to 412W the pneumoconiosis compensation scheme, to cover those who suffer from asbestosis, in which disabled persons are not required to prove negligence in order to secure damages.
§ Mr. Waddington:Sufferers from asbestosis, and the dependents of deceased sufferers are already covered by the Pneumoconiosis Etc (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979. It is not a condition for payment of compensation that applicants must prove negligence on the part of former employers.