Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 40
40
Following the House administrations being three months late sharing information about a recent asbestos incident,...
Conclusion
Following the House administrations being three months late sharing information about a recent asbestos incident, the Clerk of the House acknowledged staff should have been notified earlier.108 We heard relevant trade union representatives were informed on 15 February, five days after the report to the Health and Safety Executive.109 The Clerk of the House informed non-affected staff working in the Palace of the incident through an intranet article but also recognised that many staff do not tend to read the intranet.110 Given the location of the incident, the House administrations were not required to inform the trade unions for Members or third-party contractors.111 107 HC49 Q 17 108 HC1100 Q 28 109 HC1100 Q 43; Letter from Dr John Benger, 29 March 2022 110 HC1100 Qq 30 to 33 111 Letter from Dr John Benger, 29 March 2022 Restoration and Renewal of Parliament 21
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
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. Fifth bullet – Government engagement