To approve the renewal of a licence for work with asbestos to PPS Limited
1. SUMMARY
The licence granted to PPS Limited under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos – Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations, 2008 (Asbestos Regulations), is due to expire on the 15th July 2013. As a new applicant, PPS Limited was granted a one year licence in July 2012 and, over the past 12 months, is considered to have performed to a satisfactory standard.
The Minister is therefore requested to consider issuing a new 3 year licence under the Asbestos Regulations, to PPS Limited, for work with licensed asbestos materials.
2. BACKGROUND
Exposure by individuals to asbestos fibres is acknowledged as giving rise to the risk of developing a range of diseases including lung disease and cancer.
As a result of concerns over potential exposure to asbestos in the workplace, the States introduced Regulations in 1997, restricting work with certain asbestos containing materials, to those who are licensed. The original Regulations were replaced by the Asbestos Regulations which came into force in 2008.
Regulation 3 of the Asbestos Regulations provides for the Minister to issue licences for work with asbestos, and permits the Minister to determine the period of the licence and attach such terms and conditions to the licence which the Minister considers appropriate.
In 2012, the Minister issued a new applicant, PPS Limited, with a one year licence with effect from the 16th July 2012, to work with asbestos. PPS Limited has now applied for this licence to be renewed.
The process for licence application and renewal is carried out in accordance with the policy set out in the Health and Safety Inspectorate document, Asbestos Licence Assessment Guide, which assesses the applicant against benchmarks drawn from legal standards, good practice as described in the Jersey and UK Approved Codes, industry best practice and the licence applicant’s own operating standards. The policy also states that new applicants be granted a one year licence. Subject to satisfactory performance, the term of the licence is extended to 3 years from the time of renewal.
For the period to the end of June 2013, PPS Limited notified the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate of 28 asbestos removal contracts. The Inspectorate is not aware of any particular difficulties arising from these contracts. The assessment process has also identified that PPS Limited is working to appropriate standards.
Five standard conditions are placed on all licences which are issued. These conditions require the licence to be made available for inspection, the Inspectorate to be notified of the work, the preparation of a detailed method statement for the work, the need to ensure that all work is supervised by an appropriate member of staff and that the asbestos waste is disposed of in an approved manner.
3. RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that PPS Limited be granted a licence, subject to the five standard conditions, to carry out work with asbestos for a 3 year period, commencing the 16th July 2013.
Colin Myers
Director of Health and Safety
Social Security: 22nd October 2010
File No. 3/16
Colin Myers