HSE’s approach to asbestos management: Work and Pensions Committee to hold first oral evidence session
11 November 2021
The Work and Pensions Committee is to hold the first oral evidence session in its inquiry into how the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) manages the continued presence of asbestos in buildings.
- Watch Parliament TV: Health and Safety Executive’s approach to asbestos management
- Inquiry: Health and Safety Executive’s approach to asbestos management
- Work and Pensions Committee
The inquiry is examining the current risks posed by asbestos in the workplace, the actions taken by HSE to mitigate them and how its approach compares to those taken in other countries.
Witnesses at this first oral evidence session will include safety campaigners, representatives from charities and from support groups. The Committee will also hear from French, German and Dutch experts in asbestos management.
The Committee raised concerns last year with the Government about the UK’s policy on managing asbestos in buildings, following the publication of a report by think tank Respublica. In response, the Minister for Employment confirmed that the HSE would be reviewing the effectiveness of the regulations for managing asbestos.
Witnesses
Wednesday 17 November
At 9.15am
Panel 1
- Charles Pickles, Asbestos Campaigner, UK Airtight on Asbestos Campaign
- Alex Burdorf, Head of the Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
- Thomas Kuhlbusch, Head of Hazardous Substances Management, Federal Institute for Occupational Hygiene and Health, Germany
- Nicolas Bessot, Head of the Office of Chemical, Physical, Biological and Occupational Diseases, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Integration, France
Panel 2
- Liz DarlisonChief Executive Officer, Mesothelioma UK
- Gill Reed, Technical Adviser, Joint Union Asbestos Committee
- Joanne Gordon, Chair, Asbestos Victims Support Groups’ Forum UK, and Co-ordinator of Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team
- Tony Hood, Partner and National Head of Asbestos Strategy, Thompsons Solicitors
Further information
Image: Albert Ter Harmsel/flickr/Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)