Document JND0Ojnd0ZM2wXyDqaq8ZzqqB

FILE NAME: Asbestos Sacks and Bags (ASB) DATE: 1965 Oct 28 DOC#: ASB092 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Trade Union Congress Inter-Departmental Correspondence RE Asbestos & Improvement of Conditions for Dock Workers J - ' f 'A C.3 r o tu. O TRADES UNION CONGRESS INTER -DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE Dr.-Murray.... -Mptr ^tee&oe-ek. Departmen t....S0C..Ial....IS.uranG9...__ Date....October 28, 1965 SUBJECT ASBESTOS I discussed this problem with Mr. O'Leary, Mr. Shea and Mr. Mundy of the Transport and General Workers Union. 7. have also had an opportunity of talking about the problem with Mr. Harvey, Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories. The position is that this problem is well on the way towards a solution, The main difficulty has been the fact that asbestos is bagged in hessian bags and it has now been almost universally accepted that bagging in paper bags will bo adopted. This is not a complete answer as the paper bag can burst and create a v e ry serious p d' tends to persist during the complete has burst. However, the asbestos question is only part of a much bigger problem, namely, the handling of dangerous substances by dockers. The Docks Regulations, 1931* do not contain any provision for the protection of workers and the National Dock Labour Board does not have the necessary powers to oblige employers to take specific precautions in respect of dangerous cargoes. The Factory Inspectorate are in the course of revising the Docks Regulations to take care of this problem and the TGWJ will be writing to you to ask for the help of the TUG in making representations to the Minister of Labour with regard to the type of coverage necessary for dockers under the revised Regulations* RM/JEM