The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have dropped plans to reduce the frequency of medical checks for licensed asbestos workers.
Proposals put forward for consultation in October 2017 would have amended the Control of Asbestos Regulations SI 2012/632 to align medical checks for workers dealing with licensed and non-licensed work for asbestos to every 3 years.
These proposals were rejected by 61% of respondents to the consultation, with Unions claiming that a reduction in the frequency of medical checks for those undertaking licensed work was a reduction in the protection offered to workers.
The HSE had argued that the current regulatory system was well-functioning and protected the health of workers, consequently medical checks every 2 years were not necessary, and reducing the frequency to 3 years would not lead to an increase in cases of asbestosis.
Responses to the consultation showed that 23 of 34 respondents strongly disagreed or disagreed with the plan to reduce frequency of medical checks. As a result the HSE have decided not to pursure the proposed amendments.
The HSE released a statement on the matter: "The HSE values the opinions of its stakeholders and in light of the responses we’ve received on this consultation, has decided not to proceed with the proposed amendment at this time. Licensed workers will continue to be examined by an HSE-appointed doctor every two years and those undertaking notifiable non-licensed work will continue to be examined every three years. The proposed amendment would have had no negative impacts on workers’ health or altered the prognosis of those whose previous exposures may have resulted in asbestos-related disease. CAR 2012 puts in place a robust regulatory framework of management through risk assessment and control of exposure to asbestos in the workplace; it is and will continue to be a key plank in preventing asbestos-related disease."
Deputy general secretary of the Prospect union, Garry Graham, said: "Asbestos is a silent killer of thousands of workers every year. Frequent medical checks for those engaged in the dangerous removal of asbestos from old buildings is vital to pick up any symptoms as early as possible. We welcome the HSE seeing sense on this issue."
There was some support for the proposed changes in the construction industry, where some seen 3 yearly checks as a better fit with many of their existing health assessment programmes, and believed alignment of health checks for workers carrying out licensed and non-licensed work would reduce confusion.
For more information, see the:
