Asbestos

Simon Hughes
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance her Department issues to (a) employers and (b) employees on risks arising from the presence of asbestos in commercial properties.

Jonathan Shaw
[holding answer 2 July 2009]: The Health and Safety Executive has produced a number of pieces of guidance for employers and employees on asbestos in commercial properties:

Two Approved Codes of Practice; “Work with Materials Containing Asbestos” and “The Management of Asbestos in Non-domestic Premises”.

Two guidance documents for those who manage buildings: “A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Asbestos in Premises'” and “A Short Guide to Managing Asbestos in Premises”. An online guidance tool to help those responsible for managing asbestos in buildings is about to be launched.

Two further documents for employers and employees who work with asbestos such as building maintenance trades in commercial properties: “Introduction to Asbestos Essentials”, and “Asbestos Essentials”.

In addition, a number of free leaflets are available in hard copy and on the HSE website; “Manage Buildings? You Must Manage Asbestos”, the “Duty to Manage Checklist” and 'Guidance for Safety Representatives”. HSE and partner organisations have been campaigning to raise awareness among tradesmen most recently through the Hidden Killer campaign which included radio and press advertising and a campaign leaflet and flyer.