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19 June 2006 - Local Authorities Briefed on
Hidden Killers - Asbestos and Legionella
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently held a workshop at the Digital
World Centre Salford Quays in which over 100 senior representatives from 30
North West local authorities (including all ten from Greater Manchester), were
given an outline of the HSE's requirements on two hidden killers - asbestos and
legionella.
Richard Daniels, HSE's Head of Operations commented:
"Asbestos fibres and Legionella bacteria are two hidden killers - you can
see neither of them.
"Today's event was designed to share best practice in managing the risks and
real life case studies, so that local authorities in the region are fully aware
of HSE's requirements of the organisational arrangements needed to do prevent
risk from both.
"The aim of the workshop was help those who are responsible for managing the
risks from legionella and asbestos to better control them.
"Having attended they should be able to assess if their current arrangements are
either adequate or are lacking in some way so they need to take action to
improve. The challenge is that whilst many authorities have controls in place,
they often only exist superficially on paper. The lack of real ownership, poor
communication especially with contractors and lack of competency all lead to
mistakes that can, and do, give rise to harm.
"In particular we have stressed the importance of:
- robust and effective procedures for the selection of contractors
- monitoring so that what ought to be done is actually done and records
are kept of the precautions;
- learning from experience, reviewing procedures, refining risk
assessments; and
- ensuring any 'responsible person' appointed must have the necessary
competence and be given the time to look after the management of the various
control schemes that are in place."
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