HSC agree to publish consultative document on the asbestos regulations

Citation

(1998), "HSC agree to publish consultative document on the asbestos regulations", Facilities, Vol. 16 No. 7/8. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.1998.06916gab.007

HSC agree to publish consultative document on the asbestos regulations

HSC agree to publish consultative document on the asbestos regulations

Keywords Asbestos, Health and Safety Commission

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has published a major consultative document setting out regulatory proposals to provide greater protection for workers from exposure to asbestos.

The consultative document proposes tightening of the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 (ASLIC) and the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 (CAW). HSC also propose to revise and restructure the two supporting Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs) to ensure that essential guidance is provided to those at greatest risk.

The main changes proposed to the regulations would:

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  extend licensable work to include asbestos insulation board;

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  tighten the exposure limits for chrysotile asbestos;

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  put a duty on employers to ensure that where respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is required, it is chosen to reduce exposures to as low a level as reasonably practicable and not just to the exposure limit;

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  put a duty on employers to provide refresher training to workers; and most importantly

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  clarify that all work liable to lead to asbestos exposure must comply with the requirements of CAW.

The consultative document, which has been available since mid-April, also seeks views on the principle of introducing regulations to require those in control of places of work to identify and manage the risks from asbestos better, and on developing a new ACoP to provide advice on how best these obligations can be met.

Together these proposals will provide a major contribution to HSC's strategy to reduce the potential for future asbestos disease.

So far as white asbestos (chrysotile) is concerned, the CAW regulations already require the prevention of exposure where reasonably practicable, and the use of safer substitutes where practicable in any manufacturing process or the installation of any product. The HSC remains concerned that these measures are not fully effective and is considering proposals for further restriction on the importation, supply and new uses of chrysotile.

However, before such restrictions can be put in place, the safety of substitutes has to be clear. An independent scientific committee of the EU has recently found, in a written interim opinion, that the scientific evidence available to it on substitute fibres was insufficient to determine their relative safety. Because of potentially insurmountable legal challenges that could result from any UK action to restrict further white asbestos use, without a robust scientific case, HSC has recommended to ministers that public consultation on amendment to the Asbestos Prohibition Regulations should be delayed until the position on the scientific evidence about substitutes becomes clearer.

For further information call HSE's InfoLine on 0541 545500 or write to Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield S3 7HQ.