FOI Request - Use of Toxins
Request 101003152730
I am submitting this request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2005 and would be obliged if you could provide answers to the questions below.
1. Does your local authority have a Toxics Use Reduction Strategy?
2. Has your authority implemented or considered implementing a toxics use reduction action plan?
3. Would your authority consider doing so in the future?
4. Has your authority used any techniques such as workplace mapping of premises or body mapping of employees to identify toxics priorities?
5. Please provide details of lost time injury attributable to chemical exposure?
6. Does your authority have any Just Transition Projects, if do are there any Toxics Use Reduction initiatives included?
7. Can you provide information on any measures, campaign or initiatives your authority has implemented other than Just Transition initiatives aimed at making your workplaces and communities toxics free?
8. What is your local authority’s policy on the use of glyphosate based herbicides?
9. Are incidents of exposure to substances hazardous to health discussed at an appropriate forum e.g health and safety committee?
10. Does your authority discuss toxics use reduction with your trade unions?
11. What steps does your authority take to protect workers when purchasing new substances that may be harmful to health of workers and communities?
12. Is your authority concerned UK REACH may not ensure worker occupational health and safety and, if so, what alternatives measures might you adopt ?
13. What steps has your authority taken to assess the risks arising from exposure to hazardous substances you currently use?
14. How useful they have found Material Safety Data Sheets and now Safety Data Sheets as a source for assessing toxic substances?
15. Where do you get information on toxics from apart from HSE, manufacturers and suppliers?
16. To what extent are you confident that your authority complies with COSHH or are your COSHH risk assessments and action plans up to date?
Response 19-10-2022
1. Not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
2. Not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
3. If a need was identified.
4. Not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
5. None in previous three years - not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
6. Yes, we have Just Transition projects. No TUR initiatives are included.
7. Not held - currently there are no initiative and campaigns, will be considered if considered necessary. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
8. No formal policy. The Council does use weed-killer to manage vegetation growth on paths, verges and hard standing where the active ingredient used is glyphosate. The effective use of this weed killer allows us to manage our open spaces (e.g. around obstacles such as lampposts, cemetery paths and Highway streets) in a cost effective manner. We try to minimise usage and we also utilise other forms of weed/vegetation control such as strimming and mulching of shrubberies.
9. Yes, safety committees are held at various levels within the organisation and issues can be escalated when required.
10. All health and safety issues are discussed via consultation with the unions and unions attend all health and safety meetings at departmental, service and corporate levels.
11. Product labels and safety data sheets are used to direct how, where and when herbicides are used. Operations and use, including provision and use of personal protective equipment, are also guided by risk assessments / COSHH assessments.
12. Not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
13. COSHH assessments in place and reviewed and monitored as required. Audits take place on a regular basis to ensure compliance
14. Important and used as per answer to 11.
15. Product labels and Safety Data Sheets as well as our Internal Health and safety specialists.
16. Audits of CoSHH as well as other H&S topics to ensure compliance are done on a regular basis.