Asbestos Contamination Incidents in BT

A CWU team met with Dave Wallington, BT Group Health and Safety Manager, middle February to address complaints from CWU Branches, that BT were not following it's own policy and informing or consulting Union Safety Representatives about asbestos removal or contamination in some incidents.

BT's asbestos policy can be found on the company's intranet - SFY/HSH/D055 refers.

BT has confirmed that there was no intention not to inform or consult USRs but claims that it was sometimes rather difficult to identify the relevant USR to inform and consult.

The CWU have always said that the point of contact should be the relevant Branch health and safety co-ordinator as contained on the USR database held by BT. This was the major aim of the development of the register in the first place.

Dave Joyce, the CWU's National HS&E Officer requested all Branches to check the register to ensure health and safety co-ordinator is included on the list, and if not, to inform BT as soon as possible in accordance with the BT USR agreement.

A further meeting with BT to review progress on this issue will be held in approximately three months time.

Source: CWU LTB141/06

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