Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

508. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is aware that asbestos sheets had been used for the construction of the (details supplied), and if the Department will have these sheets removed in a safe manner. [10743/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department was not aware of the detail provided in the question and there is no requirement for the Department to be notified.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2006-2010 apply to all work activities which expose persons to risks arising from the inhalation of dust from asbestos or asbestos containing materials. The regulations apply to all workplaces (including domestic construction work) where there is a risk of asbestos exposure during the course of work activities.

Regulation 11 of S.I. No. 386 of 2006 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 sets out the requirements on an employer working with asbestos. It requires an employer to prepare a written notification to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) that must be received by the HSA at least 14 days prior to commencement of any activities involving the removal, repair or encapsulation of lagging, insulation or other materials containing asbestos.

Notification is required to the HSA in circumstances where the planned asbestos-related work activity will expose, or could possibly expose, workers to a concentration of asbestos fibres in air in excess of the exposure limit value of 0.1 fibres per cm3 and/or where the work activity does not meet the criteria set out in regulation 5 (b), i.e. short duration maintenance works with non-friable Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs), removal of non-degraded bonded materials without deterioration, and encapsulation or sealing of non-friable ACMs in good condition.

If a workplace was built or refurbished before 2000 an appropriate asbestos survey or equivalent risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person to identify the presence of ACM and assess the condition.

Where there is a risk of exposure due to damaged or deteriorated ACM, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure remedial measures are taken to prevent exposure.

The risk associated with work-related exposure to asbestos relates to the possibility that the fibres within the ACM can become released into the air and are then inhaled. Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to asbestos-related diseases (mainly cancers of the chest and lungs). Work involving the removal, repair or encapsulation of asbestos containing materials can result in the release of asbestos fibres into the atmosphere placing asbestos workers at risk.

If works are being planned to remove identified ACMs, the competent contractor engaged to carry out the work is required to perform risk assessment to determine if a notification to the HSA is required and all work undertaken should comply with relevant health and safety legislation.

Additional information relating to asbestos and the procedure for submitting notifications can be found on the HSA webpage and the HSA is available to provide further information at contactus@hsa.ie or 0818289389.