Healthand and Safety Executive HSE response to occupational

Healthand and. Safety Executive HSE response to occupational health concerns raised re: Hanson Cement employees Jane Lassey HM Inspector of Health & Safety Head of Operations Wales

Purpose of HSE report – to answer the three specific questions raised by the local community that relate to occupational health – to provide information and HSE opinion to the Investigation Response Team – to set the work of HSE in context

HSE in context • national independent regulator for workrelated health, safety and illness • independent prosecuting authority that takes action against those who put workers at risk of death, illness or injury • Powers include Improvement & Prohibition Notices and prosecution • concentrate our work where the risks are likely to be highest

Three concerns raised? • Are there Occupational Health exposures of concern with specific reference to dusts and asbestos exposures? • Are there increased cancers in employees / former employees? • Can health surveillance records be made available for consideration?

Sources of information • • • Info on H&S performance on site Site inspection – Oct 2010 Review of all HSE historical records Statutory reports to HSE Company Occupational Health Records Health Surveillance data Air monitoring records Pension records Inspection history

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health – what does the law expect? Prevent or adequately control exposure in workplace COSHH - hierarchy • • • Elimination Substitution Engineering controls/systems of work Control exposure at source e. g. ventilation Personal Protective Equipment Air Monitoring/Health Surveillance

Are there Occupational Health exposures of concern with specific reference to dusts and asbestos exposures? Hanson Cement • • • Process containment Segregation of employees from task RPE/Protective clothing Regular air monitoring/sampling Health Surveillance Occupational Health Advisor

Are there Occupational Health exposures of concern with specific reference to dusts and asbestos exposures? • Control options chosen by the company appear to be inherently reliable and effective • HSE not concerned about exposures to dust or asbestos • Company are complying with what the law requires

Are there increased cancers in employees / former employees? • • • Occ Health Physician from 1999 • Caution Exit medicals Claims Pensions data (5 cases out of 63 deaths) No cancer cases attributed to work at plant

Can health surveillance records be made available for consideration? • • Confidentiality HSE Occ Health Inspector review Review of Health surveillance records Review of Occ Health Provision No referrals/no occ health concerns Occ Health provision exemplar No RIDDOR reports to HSE

Key conclusions Evidence indicates that the risks from exposure to hazardous substances are generally well controlled at the Padeswood site Occupational health provision exceeds current legislative requirements cannot rule out contribution of past exposures to subsequent development of disease in the workforce No raised levels of cancers in work force

Recommendation • further investigation of occupational health issues are not warranted However – If manufacturing process changes the company would need to re-assess any consequent risks to the health of the workforce and – consider different or additional controls

Any Questions? • HSE website - www. hse. gov. uk