§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice he has made available to employers concerning the implementation of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. [159352]
§ Mr. BrowneThe Health and Safety Executive has published three Approved Codes or Practice to support The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002: one aimed at licensed asbestos removal contractors, one dealing with asbestos work that does not require a licence and the third specifically addressing the new duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. These documents provide comprehensive advice on how to comply with the regulations.
The Executive has also produced a number of guidance leaflets including a free leaflet produced jointly with the Federation of Small Businesses, Asbestos Testing and Consulting and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Practical manuals have also been produced to help workers, employers and managers on the ground fulfil their responsibilities under the regulations.
In order to raise awareness of the duty to manage asbestos, the Health and Safety Executive has also developed workshop and seminar materials, which allow presentations to be delivered on the new regulations both by HSE staff and others.
Additional useful information on complying with the regulations can be also found on HSE's web pages on asbestos on the Internet.
§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the buildings occupied by his staff, including departmental agencies, which require(a) remedial work on and (b) the removal of asbestos; what that work will cost; what budgets are available for this work for (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005; and what budget is available for future asbestos surveys. [159361]
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§ Mr. BrowneA list of buildings requiring remedial work on, or the removal of asbestos is not yet available as the surveys being carried out in connection with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 will not be completed until later this year.
A list of buildings occupied by DWP staff and already identified as containing asbestos is available in the Library. This department, and its predecessors, has been proactive in identifying these buildings and the asbestos has been either sealed or removed as necessary.
The costs of the surveys and any remedial works have not been estimated. However, under the terms of the PRIME (Private Resource Initiative for Management of the Estate) contract, the DWP's service partner, Land Securities Trillium, are responsible for arranging and funding these.
§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of buildings occupied by(a) staff of the Department and (b) staff of the Department's executive agencies have been surveyed for the purpose of identifying the presence of asbestos prior to implementation of the control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. [159370]
§ Mr. BrowneTo date approximately 13 per cent. of the buildings occupied by DWP staff have been surveyed for the purpose of identifying the presence of asbestos prior to implementation of the control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002. Surveys of the remaining buildings are expected to be completed during 2004. HSE are content with the actions DWP have taken so far and the proposals for future action.