HC Deb 24 July 1984 vol 64 cc613-4W
Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to require all companies that use any form of asbestos to provide yearly X-rays for all workers handling such material.

Mr. Gummer

The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 require two-yearly medical examinaions for all workers engaged into the removal of asbestos insulation. In addition, the Health and Safety Commission intends in the near future to issue a consultative document proposing new regulations for the control of asbestos at work which will extend the provisions for medical examinations, including X-rays.

Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if it will be a requirement for any company which is to remove asbestos from any building to inform the local authority that such work is to take place.

Mr. Gummer

The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, which require all employers engaged in the removal of asbestos insulation from premises other than their own to hold a licence issued by the Health and Safety Executive, provide for notification of work to he made to the relevant enforcing authority, which may be the local authority, in the following circumstances:

  1. (i) where HSE had made such notification a condition of the licence;
  2. (ii) where an employer is carrying out work on his own premises and does not hold a licence.

Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the names and addresses of contractors who have been licensed to remove asbestos from buildings.

Mr. Gummer

At 19 July 1984, 748 contractors had been granted licences under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 by the licensing authority, the Health and Safety Executive. I am arranging for a copy of the list of those licensed at 1 August 1984, this being the date the regulations come into force, to be placed in the Library.

Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it a requirement that on any building where asbestos is to be removed a notice must be placed which clearly states what type of asbestos is being removed, and the names and addresses of the contractors doing the work.

Mr. Gummer

The approved code of practice on work with asbestos insulation and asbestos coating issued by the Health and Safety Commission requires thatSufficient notices should be displayed at the approaches to and along the perimeter of every asbestos working area:

  1. (a) to show that asbestos insulation work is being carried out; and
  2. (b) to warn persons that they should not enter the asbestos working area without wearing the appropriate protective equipment".

In addition, the Health and Safety Commission intends in the near future to issue a consultative document proposing new regulations for the control of asbestos at work which will introduce similar requirements for other work activities which give rise to asbestos exposure. Proposals as to the detail required to be contained in the notices will be decided in the light of comments received.

Mr. Tom Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of the controls to be followed for the removal of asbestos from buildings.

Mr. Gummer

The removal of asbestos from buildings is covered by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Asbestos Regulations 1969, the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 and the approved code of practice and guidance note on work with asbestos insulation and asbestos coating. Additional guidance is given in the Health and Safety Executive guidance note EH10 and in "A Guide to the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983". Copies of these have been placed in the Library.