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HSE response to occupational health concerns raised re: Hanson Cement employees

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

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HSE response to occupational health concerns raised re: Hanson Cement employees

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

  2. 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

  3. HSE in context • national independent regulator for work-related 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

  4. 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?

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

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

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