asbestos, he will state the number of officers of his Ministry qualified and trained by accredited instituti…
(No. B/850) Mr N. Beejan (Second Member for Grand Baie & Poudre d'Or) asked the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change whether, in regard to asbestos, he will state the number of officers of his Ministry qualified and trained by accredited institutions in the management thereof, indicating the – (a) types of Personal Protective Equipment provided thereto since 2015 and (b) number of visits effected by the said officers on the site of housing units containing same requiring dismantling since January 2024 to date.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that the Enforcement Unit of the Solid Waste Management Division of my Ministry consists of 14 officers who are involved only in the supervision of the dismantling of the housing units containing cemented asbestos sheets for removal and disposal process. Site visits are effected prior to dismantling to assess quantity and state of asbestos sheets and supervise the dismantling process till carting away to the landfill. With regard to training; from 21 to 25 November 2022, officers of the Enforcement Unit of the Division have received training on HAZWOPER site operations which was conducted by Polyeco Ltd., a Greek company, which has extensive experience in management of hazardous wastes. Moreover, one officer was trained on HAZMAT specialised equipment in August 2025 conducted by consultant of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Centre. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, the technical enforcement officers who carry out visual inspections of dismantling of the housing units cemented asbestos sheets have been provided with Personal Protective Equipment comprising amongst others disposable overall, dust masks and safety boots. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, concerning part (b) of the question, the number of visits effected by the Division from 2024 to date is 35. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, asbestos houses which are being dismantled by contractors who are hired by the Ministry and there is a constant follow-up of works which have been done by contractors especially with regard to protective equipment.
Yes, you have supplementary question?
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Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Will the hon. Minister inform the House what further training will be provided or any other ongoing Health Surveillance Programme is put in place for the officers potentially exposed to asbestos fibres in the course of their duties? Thank you.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is a planned programme which is in shape and will be soon implemented not only by my Ministry that by the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations and the safety division also.
The hon. Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles & Souillac ! CONSTITUENCY NO.13 – BUS TRANSPORT SERVICES – COMPLAINTS & MEASURES