§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement summarising the provisions of those regulations which seek to control the use of asbestos in roofing and other building materials; and if he will indicate the means through which those regulations should be enforced.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 6 December 1993]The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 which came into force on 1 January 1993 impose major restrictions on the use of asbestos, including its use for some building materials. They prohibit the import, supply and use of all types of amphibole asbestos, including corcidolite—blue asbestos—and amosite—brown asbestos —the two forms most commonly associated with asbestos—related disease. The regulations also prohibit asbestos spraying and the installation of asbestos insulation and a range of building products containing chrysotile—white asbestos—including low—density insulating and sound-proofing materials and roofing felt.
The Control of Asbestos at Work (Amendment) Regulations 1992 which came into force on 1 January 1993 include a requirement for the substitution of products containing asbestos when practicable and provided the alternative creates a lesser risk.
The regulations are enforced by Health and Safety Executive inspectors, and local authority inspectors who have powers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases have been identified by the appropriate enforcement authorities in each of the last 10 Years for which figures are available, of the use of asbestos materials in building and roofing work contrary to the relevant regulations.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 6 December 1993]The information requested is not available. However, the figures in the following tables show the numbers of informations laid and the number of convictions secured in the construction industry, under the Asbestos Regulations 1969 and the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987,as amended, which replaced them. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations cover238W all work with asbestos. There were no informations laid during the period under the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1985 or the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992.
Year Informations laid Conviction The Asbestos Regulations 1969 1983 26 25 1984 41 32 1985 23 18 1986–87 11 7 1987–88 8 8 1988–89 4 3 The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 1988–89 13 13 1989–90 33 32 1990–91 50 41 1991–92 32 25 1992–931 24 23 1Provisional. Notes:
- 1. The figures above include informations laid and convictions for those in the construction industry involved in asbestos stripping.
- 2. The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 came into force on I March 1988.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with regulation 8(1A) of the Control of Asbestos Work (Amendment) Regulations 1992 and with its associated approved code of practice; and if he will make statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 6 December 1993]Regulation 8(1A) of the Control of Asbestos (Amendment) Regulations 1992 has been in force since 1 January 1993.Health and Safety Executive inspectors and local authority inspectors enforce these provisions. At their visits to Workplaces, inspectors give high priority to encouraging the use of asbestos substitutes as the principal means of preventing any exposure to asbestos whenever this is appropriate.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the Health and Safety Commission will review the effectiveness of the regulations governing the use of asbestos products in roofing and other building work; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 6 December 1993]Current regulations governing the use of asbestos products in roofing and other building work are considered to be effective with regard to the protection of the health of workers and the Public. There are no plans at present to extend them, but, in common with other health and safety legislation, there is an ongoing process of monitoring and review by the Health and Safety Commission.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recent representations he has received concerning the effectiveness of the regulations governing the use of asbestos products in roofing and other building work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 6 December 1993]; The letter from my hon. Friend, dated 24 November 1993, addressed to me is the only representation received on this matter.