Vol. 431 No. 6
74 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will introduce a more detailed system of supervision of the removal of asbestos which was used widely in buildings in the 1960's and 1970's in view of the health risk that may arise from residues of asbestos dust in the buildings afterwards.
Removal of asbestos from buildings is controlled by the Factories (Asbestos Process) Regulations, 1975 and the European Communities (Protection of Workers) (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 1989. The 1975 Regulations require written notice to be provided to the Health and Safety Authority 28 days before any process where asbestos dust is liable to escape is undertaken. The 1989 Regulations require the submission, prior to the commencement of any work involving the removal of asbestos or products containing asbestos, of a satisfactory plan of work to ensure the safety and health of workers. These regulations are enforced by inspectors of the Authority who assess each notification submitted to them.
At present, work is in progress on the preparation of draft regulations which will reduce the maximum levels of asbestos permissible in workplaces to protect workers and the general public. These regulations will transpose into national legislation Council Directive 91/382/EEC which amends Directive 83/477/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work.
