§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will request from the Health and Safety Commission a study of the siting of carriage renovation and dismantling sheds where blue asbestos is involved and the reasons for the Health and Safety Executive being satisfied or otherwise as to the location of the sheds having regard to the nature and population density of the surrounding areas.
§ Mr. MayhewI am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that carriage renovation and dismantling sheds where blue asbestos is involved are subject to the requirements of the Asbestos Regulations, 1969, which are designed to protect the health of workers who work with asbestos. They are also subject to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which places a duty on the person undertaking the work to conduct his operation in such a way as to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby, as well as his employees, are not exposed to risks to their health.
This legislation is enforced in British Railways' premises by the railway inspectorate as agent of the Health and Safety Executive. In premises occupied by British Rail Engineering Ltd. the legislation is enforced by Her Majesty's factory inspectorate.
I understand that work by the inspectorates continues to ensure that the current levels of safety are maintained and progressively improved. In the chairman's view, with which I agree, there is no evidence at present to suggest a need for a special study by the Health and Safety 246W Commission of the siting of carriage renovation and dismantling sheds where blue asbestos is involved.