To approve the GRanting of a licence to UNDERTAKE work with asbestos to PPS LImited
1. SUMMARY
A new applicant, PPS Limited, has applied for a licence, under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos – Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations, 2008, to work with asbestos. PPS Limited has undergone an assessment process which has concluded that it has the necessary knowledge and experience to work in accordance with the standards required for such work.
The Minister is, therefore, requested to consider granting a licence to work with asbestos to PPS Limited, for an initial period of one year, under Regulation 3 of the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos – Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations, 2008.
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 has introduced prescriptive Regulations, the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos – Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations, 2008. These Regulations place restrictions on work with certain types of asbestos to those who have been licensed by the Minister, or UK regulatory authorities whose licence has been approved by a Health and Safety Inspector.
Regulation 3 of the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos – Licensing) (Jersey) Regulations, 2008, 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.
PPS Limited has applied for a licence to work with asbestos under Regulation 3. The process for review of its licence application was 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. This assessment identified that PPS Limited was able to demonstrate that it was able to work in accordance with the appropriate standards. If granted a licence, PPS Limited is intending to employ an experienced supervisor, who took part in the assessment process. The supervisor is well known to the Inspectorate having worked for UK asbestos removal contractors who have carried out work in the Island.
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.
The Asbestos Licence Assessment Guide also sets out that new applicants are only issued with a one year licence.
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 an initial one year period with effect from the 16th July 2012.
Colin Myers
Director of Health and Safety
Social Security: 11th July 2012
File No. 3/16