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

2. to set the work of HSE in context
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
The three questions asked were
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?

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. HSE not concerned about exposures to dust or asbestos
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 -