HC Deb 26 April 1976 vol 910 cc21-4W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what action has been taken to notify local authorities, local education authorities, nationalised industries and other public bodies of the risks to health from blue and white asbestos.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the risks to health from blue and white asbestos are well known and widely publicised, and that the Health and Safety Executive does not consider that there is a need for formal notification of these risks to these bodies. Nevertheless, the Health and Safety Executive has had, and is continuing to have, many consultations, both at headquarters and local level, with such bodies to help solve their individual problems.

The Health and Safety Executive has also published a good deal of advisory material on asbestos which is available to these bodies on the same basis as other employers. It is, of course, the duty of the employer to comply with the relevant statutory requirements.

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the frequency of inspection by factory inspec- tors to assess the hazards connected with the use of asbestos at installations of British Gas.

Mr. John Grant

The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the Asbestos Regulations 1969 apply only during the time in which the operations they cover are being carried out.

It is likely that at British Gas Corporation premises this will be in the main operations involving the removal and replacement of asbestos-based lagging materials. This work is intermittent, and while work involving crocidolite has to be notified to Her Majesty's district inspector of factories, that involving other types of asbestos does not. At visits to British Gas Corporation premises inspectors will, where appropriate, discuss with management the hazards connected with the use of asbestos, even if no such work is being carried out, but this discussion may not be recorded.

When an inspector sees work, to which the regulations apply, in progress, he will check compliance, but if there is compliance this, too, will not necessarily be recorded.

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the frequency of inspection by factory inspectors to assess the hazards connected with the use of asbestos at installations of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

Mr. John Grant

The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the Asbestos Regulations 1969 apply only during the time in which the operations they cover are being carried out.

It is likely that at North of Scotland Hydro Board this will mean in the main operations involving the removal and replacement of asbestos-based lagging materials. This work is intermittent, and while work involving crocidolite has to be notified to Her Majesty's district inspector of factories, that involving other types of asbestos does not. At visits to North of Scotland Hydro Board inspectors will, where appropriate, discuss with management the hazards connected with the use of asbestos, even if no such work is being carried out, but this discussion may not be recorded.

When an inspector sees work to which the regulations apply, in progress he will check compliance, but if there is compliance this, too, will not necessarily be recorded.

It is not, therefore, possible to give the frequency of inspections to assess the hazards connected with the use of asbestos at North of Scotland Hydro Board. However, since 1973 it is known that two visits have been paid to one power station where it was known that delagging operations were taking place. This work was being done by specialist outside contractors and the regulations were being complied with.

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what training facilities exist, what the relevant training period is, and what on-site instruction is given, to factory inspectors to enable them to detect and assess the hazards of using asbestos.

Mr. John Grant

Since 1973 the basic training of factory inspectors has included a six-month residential course at the University of Aston in Birmingham to obtain a Diploma in Occupational Safety and Hygiene. Part of the course embraces a study of the effects of adverse environments on the human body, including the specific effects of carcinogens and fibrogenic dusts. Measurement of adverse environments, exposure sampling techniques, practical training in the use of monitoring equipment are covered on the course as well as ventilation engineering, dust control, extraction systems, and the theoretical and practical considerations in the use of protective clothing. This training is intended to enable factory inspectors to detect and assess the hazards of using asbestos and on-site instruction is subsequently given by experienced staff.

Hygiene testing instruments have been provided for the Inspectorate since 1970 so that sampling of the atmosphere for asbestos dust can be carried out. Training in the use of these instruments was given to all field staff at the time the equipment was issued.

A comprehensive guide in the form of a manual to provide information on the functions and uses of the instruments available has been prepared and is a personal issue to inspectors. Asbestos is covered in the manual which deals specifically with air sampling instruments, contaminants, properties and methods of detection, control monitoring instruments and control standards.

Procedures are laid down for submission of samples to the Health and Safety Executive laboratories for evaluation. Specialist inspectors who concentrate on dust and dust control are available to give on-site advice to field staff and to undertake more extensive sampling procedures should these prove necessary.

Two standing courses are held each year on "Occupational Hygiene". Each course lasts approximately two-and-a-half days and is attended by 20 inspectors. The courses are intended as refresher and development training for inspectors of four to ten years' experience, and the hazards from asbestos are again emphasised.

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