Asbestos: New Strategies & Joint Working

European Hazards Network ConferenceRiga, Latvia; 30th September 2006

Asbestos: New Strategies & Joint WorkingThe experience of local government in Scotland

Councillor Andy WhiteLeader of West Dunbartonshire Council

Asbestos: the role of local government

Examine the activities of local councils in Scotland COSLA asbestos task group Local councils and national government Support groups, trade unions & communities Discuss the experience throughout Europe The need for solidarity and information exchange What can be done?

Statistical Information

• The mesothelioma SMR for West Dunbartonshire is the highest of any Local Council area in the UK (HSE 2003)

• Between 1997 and 2001 STUC report confirmed over 1800 deaths from asbestos-related illness in Scotland.

• Between 1997 and 2001 TUC report confirmed around 18,000 deaths from asbestos-related illness in the UK.

• Research (HSE 2003) confirms that asbestos affects all Local Council areas in Great Britain.

Asbestos Deaths 1997-2001Scottish Local Councils (STUC)

1. West Dunbartonshire 108 deaths 2. Renfrewshire 144 deaths 3. Inverclyde 60 deaths 4. Argyll and Bute 60 deaths 5. Moray 48 deaths 6. East Lothian 60 deaths 7. South Lanarkshire 156 deaths 8. Dundee City 72 deaths 9. North Lanarkshire 144 deaths 10. North Ayrshire 60 deaths 11. Glasgow City 252 deaths 12. Highland 84 deaths 13. East Ayrshire 48 deaths 14. Fife 132 deaths 15. South Ayrshire 36 deaths

Geographical spread of highest risk Councilsin Great Britain (HSE 2003)

1. West Dunbartonshire738 11. Renfrewshire3032. Barow-in-Furness699 12. Newham2963. Plymouth443 13. Newcastle-UponTyne2734. Portsmouth433 14.Sunderland2725. South Tyneside412 15. Glasgow City2416. North Tyneside388 16. Havant2987. Southampton373 17. Crewe & Nantwich2998. Medway343 18. Inverclyde3109. Barking & Dagenham346 19. Hartlepool30610. Eastleigh371 20. Gosport323

Council responsibilities in the UK

• HSE estimate that 4.4 million buildings in the UK still contain asbestos

• Of these 2 million are in the non domestic sector

• Local Councils have responsibilities for a significant proportion of buildings in both sectors

• Local Councils can play a crucial role in reducing asbestos exposures and unplanned incidents

COSLA Working Group on Asbestos

• To consider the ill health, social and economic legacy of asbestos use in Scotland and local government’s involvement in tackling problems arising from asbestos use.

• To review arrangements and consider local authority best practice in asbestos related matters.

• To make the case for the health care, social and economic burdens of asbestos to be adequately met through external funding from the Scottish Executive and (or) other sources as relevant.

• Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE)• University of Stirling: Occupational & Environmental Health

Research Group• Scottish Trades Union Congress• Common Services Agency: Information Statistics Division• Public Health Institute for Scotland• Scottish Centre for Infection & Environmental Health• Clydebank Asbestos Partnership• Health & Safety Executive

EXPERT ADVICE

COSLA Working Group on Asbestos

• Financial Burden

• Victim Support

• Asbestos in Schools

• Monitoring Contractors

• Asbestos Awareness Training

• Joint Working

Financial Burden

• Significant costs are incurred through the utilisation of council resources in many aspects of asbestos management.

• The COSLA report made a number of recommendations on asbestos expenditure, recording methods and the need for additional funding to safely manage asbestos in Local Authority premises.

Support, Advice & Assistance

Maximise support for asbestos victims, their families and carers.

Develop training modules to provide advisors with the information and expertise to support asbestos victims, their families and carers.

Challenge gender discrimination against female asbestos victims and widows.

Monitor asbestos-related burden on NHS and social work services.

Asbestos in Schools

Significant expenditure is imposed on Councils through the presence of asbestos in schools

Asbestos in schools must remain a high priority concern for Councils

Examine the specific problems of asbestos in schools to guarantee that pupils, parents and staff are safe from the fear of exposure to asbestos in schools.

Working with Contractors

• Local Authorities hold important information on prospective contractors’ health and safety performance.

• Establish effective vetting procedures which monitor the health and safety standards of contractors.

• Safety must be an important factor in the awarding of contracts.

• Significant recommendations within the COSLA report.

Training

• Training can deliver a tangible reduction in the number of asbestos incidents in public buildings.

• Local Authority led training should include all appropriate staff.

• Training could also be developed to service the specific needs of asbestos victims, their families and carers.

• Significant recommendations within the COSLA report.

Scottish Action on Asbestos

• Ban on Chrysotile• Chester Street• Scottish Damages Act• Improvements in state benefits• Barker v Corus• Petition to Scottish Parliament• International Asbestos Conference• Mesothelioma Day• International Workers Memorial• Funding for support group activities• Global Asbestos Conference• COSLA report on asbestos• Occupational cancer conference

Moving Forward

• We must move forward from this conference and work together to address the problems faced by communities affected by asbestos throughout the European Union

• Ongoing discussions can provide models of best practice which can become accepted on a European scale

• Support and encouragement for local campaigns can deliver long-term benefits in resource use, community safety and environmental responsibility throughout Europe

Future Concerns

in many countries asbestos will remain a significant problem for local communities because of the negative impact on citizen’s health

There is also the financial burden imposed on local government through the statutory duty to manage asbestos in public buildings

Exposure to asbestos can only be eliminated with the support of local councils, national governments and the European Parliament

Summary Matters

• Discuss the COSLA report as a starting point for a debate on the need for a comprehensive long-term strategy to address the asbestos issue in local communities throughout Europe

• Discuss need for financial support to meet the economic burden imposed on local communities by asbestos in public buildings, with a particular focus on schools

• Discuss how to take asbestos campaigns forward through building links between colleagues throughout Europe