Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) assessments have been made within National Highways concerning departmental staff being exposed to diesel engine exhaust emissions.

National Highways own and maintain a standard within their Health Safety and Wellbeing management system, for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). As part of this, risk assessments of operational activities are completed to identify and manage any occupational health risks. Specific activity risk assessments are completed where required, and controls are put in place to mitigate or minimise risk wherever possible.

When National Highways’ Departmental staff are undertaking work for, or on behalf, of National Highways, they are covered by the COSHH Regulations 2002. The COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended), EH40/2005 (Fourth Edition 2020) contain the list of relevant workplace exposure threshold limits.

National Highways’ staff are assessed for operational health hazards, and safety critical medicals is included as part of general health assessments, with an additional function test where required. National Highways is due to carry out an occupational hygiene assessment over the next four months which will assess its current, and any new, occupational health risks. This will be undertaken by an independent occupational hygiene specialist to assess two key operational on road roles: Traffic Officers and Highways Inspectors. It will provide an up to date review on occupational health risks and how they are controlled to prevent ill health or injury, identifying areas of improvement and recommendations for National Highways.