Recommendation 13

HM Government Acknowledged

Ensuring that duty holders are aware of the asbestos legacy in their buildings and actively complying with the law is key to managing the exposure risk to workers. HSE recognises the importance of duty holders actively managing this information and ensuring it is regularly communicated to those who need it most. During 2022/23, HSE will carry out targeted inspection activity across GB workplaces to check compliance with these important legal duties, to ensure that those most at risk of exposure, such as trades people, are being informed of the location of asbestos before work commences. We will also look to develop our communications activity in this area to support this wider inspection work. In parallel, HSE will continue its work with duty holders and those in charge of estates strategies for non-domestic buildings, to raise awareness of the legal requirements. HSE will also progress its shared aims with UKAS, surveyor groups, IOSH, trade associations and training bodies to ensure activity remains focused on ensuring standards and competence are maintained. Notably, HSE also works closely with the British Occupational Hygiene Society’s (BOHS) Faculty of Asbestos Assessment and Management (FAAM); the professional group for all practitioners who manage and assess asbestos. HSE is continuing its work with other government departments in this area. The Committee heard evidence referencing the ‘Building Information Management (BIM)’ approach and HSE supported the update to ISO 19650 Guidance Part D: Developing information requirements, produced by the UK BIM Framework, by contributing examples of information requirements for four different health and safety scenarios. The first focused on addressing asbestos in buildings owned by an organisation. HSE supports the widespread use of BIM as it can improve the collation, management and communication of important building information in a digital form – such as the nature and location of asbestos containing materials (ACMs). HSE meets regularly the Department of Education (DfE), the Scottish and Welsh Governments about health and safety of schools, including the management of asbestos in the school’s estate, to ensure that we maintain a joined-up approach to the regulation of asbestos and associated sector communications. DfE are currently running a data collection programme which has a specific assurance section covering asbestos duty to manage and HSE continues to engage with them on this important work. HSE also regularly engages in the healthcare sector through attending the NHS Estates Healthcare Forum. This body meets twice per year and is attended by a representative cross section of personnel in estates management roles from the NHS and community health partnerships in England and the devolved nations. We also engage with NHS employers and recognised trade unions through our attendance at the NHS Staff Council – Health, Safety and Wellbeing partnership group. Collectively this ensures that we can promote the importance of managing information about asbestos in buildings and awareness of the legal duties.