Eamon Gilmore
Question:21 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Labour the regulations which exist to protect the health and safety of workers who are involved in shipping, storage and disposal of asbestos.
Written Answers. - Asbestos Disposal Safety.
The European Communities (Protection of Workers) (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 1989, S.I. No. 34 of 1989, which give effect to Council Directive 83/477/EEC of 19 September, 1983, provide for the protection of workers who are or may be exposed in their place of work to dust arising from asbestos and/or materials containing asbestos. This would include workers who are engaged in the storage or disposal of asbestos. However, in accordance with the Directive the Regulations do not apply to sea transport or air transport.
I understand that the regulation of the shipment of asbestos and asbestos waste comes within the ambit of the Department of the Marine and the Department of the Environment respectively and that, while the relevant regulations do not relate directly to workers' safety and health, nevertheless, they have some general protective implications.