Health & safety - HSE Monitor
Asbestos medical tests
Unions have welcomed the HSE’s decision to abandon its plans to reduce the frequency of asbestos medical examinations for licensed contractors from two to three years.
Unions had argued strongly against the proposals in their responses to an HSE consultation exercise last year.
The union that organises HSE professional staff welcomed the fact that the organisation had seen sense on the issue.
“Asbestos is a silent killer of thousands of workers every year,” said Prospect union deputy general secretary Garry Graham. “Frequent medical checks for those engaged in the dangerous removal of asbestos from old buildings are vital to pick up any symptoms as early as possible.”