Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
We also questioned the House administrations’ protocols on how they to responded to safety incidents...
Conclusion
We also questioned the House administrations’ protocols on how they to responded to safety incidents during works.46 On 19 November 2021, contractors working in the Speaker’s private apartments identified a release of asbestos between 23 October and 27 October 2021.47 We heard that, although the site was immediately closed when the incident was identified and staff directly working on the site were informed, staff who may have come into contact with asbestos were not informed until February 2022.48 The Clerk of the House of Commons became aware of the incident on 10 December 2021 but told us it then appeared less serious with indications three staff were potentially affected. The House administrations now believe this to be 117 staff.49
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Fourth bullet – safety escalation and reporting protocols The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments agree with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: the revised safety escalation protocols were implemented on 6 April 2022. A further review of their effectiveness is scheduled for October 2022 to ensure they remain fit for purpose, with annual reviews thereafter. The Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Parliaments have recently reviewed and updated the existing safety escalation arrangements within Parliament, implementing the improved protocols on 6 April 2022. The risk-based protocols, which were developed in consultation with the Trade Unions, incorporate trigger points for escalation based on Health and Safety Executive best practice and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. Training has been delivered to key staff in Parliament on these arrangements to ensure they become embedded. A further review of their effectiveness is scheduled for October 2022 to ensure they remain fit for purpose, with annual reviews thereafter. Any subsequent changes will be communicated to the Commissions. For the House of Commons’ Commission, this is via the regular safety updates provided at each Commission meeting. The Clerk of the Parliaments will continue to provide the House of Lords’ Commission with oral updates on a range of issues as appropriate and will do so on safety matters where necessary.