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News Release from: Health and Safety Executive | Subject: HSC consultation on asbestos
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial Team on 20 January 2006

HSC consultation on asbestos ends in two
weeks

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The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is reminding the public and businesses that there are only two weeks left of the public consultation period on possible amendments to asbestos legislation.

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is reminding the public and businesses that there are only two weeks left of the public consultation period on possible amendments to asbestos legislation The consultation ends on 31 January 2006

The draft package implements changes to the European asbestos worker protection directive and tightens statutory protections for those working with asbestos, by introducing a single, lower control limit for worker exposure to all types of asbestos and requiring specified training for all employees who are liable to be exposed to asbestos.

The consultation takes into account new research.

This research shows that the risk from asbestos-containing textured decorative coatings is comparable to the risks from work with asbestos cement, something that already does not require a licence.

It is proposed that work with such textured coatings will no longer require a licence.

Work with more deadly forms of asbestos materials will still require licensing.

While textured coatings do sometimes contain white asbestos, this is in very small amounts and it is bound in a matrix that does not readily release asbestos fibres when removed.

Further details of the changes can be found in the Consultation Document and the draft Regulations at www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm.

The consultation period will last for 12 weeks and comments on the proposals should be sent by email to asbestos.consultation@hse.gsi.gov.uk or by post to Thomas Slater, Health and Safety Executive, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge London, SE1 9HS no later than 31st January 2006.

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