91998E2845

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2845/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Risk of asbestos contamination

Around 1500 people work in the buildings that house the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (state mint and printing institute) located in Via Salaria in Rome (where, among other things, the Official Gazette is printed), which is staffed 24 hours a day. On more than one occasion in recent years the unions have lodged formal complaints about the risk posed by the presence of asbestos used to insulate the buildings' ceilings (work carried out at the end of the 1960s). Following these complaints and action taken by the public prosecutor, the environmental conditions inside the buildings were checked. These checks revealed the presence of "amosite" asbestos reaching levels of between 10 and 25 fibres per litre, which are well in excess of the legal limits. Despite this, no measures were taken to make alterations to the buildings in question.

In view of the above:

1. Does the Commission not consider it should prevail upon the Italian authorities to ensure that the current situation in the above buildings is checked?

2. Does it not consider that in the case in question there has been a failure to protect workers in the workplace that is a clear violation of Community Directives 83/477/EEC(1) and 91/382/EEC(2)?

3. If so, does it intend to initiate proceedings against the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato?

4. What is its view on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 1998)

The directives on the protection of workers exposed to asbestos referred to by the Honourable Member have been incorporated into Italian law. Questions regarding implementation fall under the competence of the Italian authority responsible for ensuring adequate control and surveillance.

However, the Commission notes that the result of the dust level measurements referred to in the question does not indicate any exceeding of the limit values set out in Article 8 of Council Directive 83/477/EEC of 19 September 1983 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (second individual Directive within the meaning of Article 8 of Directive 80/1107/EEC).

(1) OJ L 263, 24.5.1983, p. 25.

(2) OJ L 206, 29.7.1991, p. 16.