Dear colleagues - your advice would be appreciated on a local issue. My safety colleagues are seeking to persuade our employer to carry out a large and costly programme of asbestos removal and/or encapsulation. There has been no written risk assessment or assessment of cost-benefit. There has, apparently, been a "survey" from an asbestos removal contractor but the report has not been made available, at least not to the relevent committees or the OHS. I have argued for more discussion, circulation of written papers, some involvement by the OHS, without success. I am concerned (a) that this spending may be ill-considered and unnecessary. I am also concerned about (b) a complete lack of any consideration that a major investment in asbestos removal/encapsulation is likely to uncover a need for health surveillance for longterm workers who may have been exposed in the past eg during maintenance work, and (c) that this programme is likely to lead to an increase in self-referrals to the OHS by people who want to discuss the effects of asbestos and whether it has affected their health or may do in the future. As well as a complete lack of consultation about the removal/encapsulation programme, there has been absolutely no attempt to consult me about the OH implications. Whenever I raise these issues with the safety team or in relevant committees, I am fobbed off and ignored.
It is particularly galling because, at the same time, the OHS is trying to build up on several fronts from a small, frankly inadequate, service to one which is actually effective. The justification and funding of any OH proposal is scrutinised in the most nit-picking and intrusive way in our committees - with the safety officers leading the negative and critical commentary. Needless to say, few OH initiatives have been funded.
Your thoughts would be much appreciated - best wishes - Kate
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