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3 November 2005 - HSC Consultation on
Amendment of Asbestos Regulations
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The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) are seeking comments on
their proposed amendments to asbestos regulations and Approved Code of Practice,
by means of their consultation document.
The HSC's proposed changes are as follows:
- The implementation of revisions to the EU Asbestos Worker Protection
Directive 83/477/EEC in Britain.
- A single, tighter control limit for work with all types of asbestos
included in the draft regulations.
- Proposals for specific training requirements for those working with
asbestos.
- A clear hierarchy of controls that should be used to reduce exposure,
based on the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations
2004 (COSHH).
Giles Denham, Policy Programme Director at the Health and Safety Executive
said:
"Although asbestos is no longer imported or used, there is still cause
for concern. It is estimated that about half a million non-domestic premises
contain some form of asbestos.
"HSE continues to improve standards of protection for around 9,000
asbestos removal workers in the licensed sector and the 1.3 million repair and
maintenance workers who may be exposed. The proposed regulatory package
provides a stronger and better targeted regulatory framework."
The HSC's reasons for the proposed changes are:
- To simplify the current three sets of Regulations on controls, licensing
and prohibition by combining them into one.
- To align the criteria for notification to the enforcing authority of work
with asbestos with the HSE asbestos licence requirement.
The consultation period will last for a period of 12 weeks.
The consultation document can be accessed from the HSE Webpage by clicking
the following:
Proposals for revised Asbestos Regulations and an Approved Code of Practice
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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