Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted
Recent asbestos incidents highlight ongoing contractor reporting failures and necessitate procedural review
Conclusion
Since then, there have been two further asbestos incidents, one of which the Clerks accepted had not been handled appropriately. In September 2022 a contractor did not inform the Clerks of an asbestos incident or limit the dangers as quickly as expected. Fortunately, the asbestos discovered, on that occasion in a roof void, was not dislodged, but it could easily have been broken up as the contractor drilled through to gain access. This would have resulted in a far more serious incident.22 The Clerks have subsequently shared with us results from their assessment which found that whilst no ill health was foreseeable as a result, the matter was taken very seriously. It was used as an opportunity to learn from mistakes and continuously improve the management of asbestos across the parliamentary estate. The Clerks assured us that additional training and a review of procedures will be undertaken.23
Government Response Summary
The Clerks agree, committing to reiterate health and safety importance and ensure contractors meet standards through the Programme Delivery Agreement and a robust monitoring framework. They confirm improvements to incident reporting and the ongoing recruitment of a Director of Parliamentary Safety to expedite safety structure improvements.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Clerk of the House and Clerk of the Parliaments agree with this recommendation. The Clerks fully recognise the need to reiterate the importance of excellent health and safety performance, including the timeliness and accuracy of reporting, to all those involved in ongoing construction activities and future R&R works. The House safety teams work closely with the supply chain and their counterparts in the R&R team to do so. As contractors engaged in the substantial R&R works will have a contractual relationship with the R&R Delivery Authority, rather than the House Authorities, the Clerks will utilise the Programme Delivery Agreement to be explicit with the high expectations they have of them in managing their supply chain and seek assurances of their mechanisms to hold poor performers to account. This agreement will also outline how both organisations will cooperate with one another on health and safety matters; and take reasonable steps to coordinate activities and inform one another where there are risks to health and safety. To supplement the agreement, the Houses have a robust framework of monitoring and assurance to ensure that responsibilities of all parties are fully discharged and any indicators of poor performance are identified early and acted upon. In addition, the Clerks would like to note that, as outlined in their oral evidence, Parliament has always had a database of incidents, in order to discharge its obligations under health and safety and social security law. Improvements have been made to the accuracy and timeliness of incident reporting which underpins the database. The recruitment of a new Director of Parliamentary Safety remains ongoing. An interim is expected to be appointed shortly, to ensure necessary improvements to safety structures and governance are expedited.