What requirements apply to the identification, management and disposal of asbestos-containing materials during the maintenance, repowering or decommissioning of wind turbines, and what role does Natural Resources Wales play in monitoring and enforcing compliance?
Health and safety regulation of asbestos is largely reserved to the UK Government. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Great Britain’s workplace health and safety regulator sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions, is the primary regulator responsible for enforcing the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and other workplace asbestos requirements in Wales. Within our competence, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has a role in regulating the environmental management of hazardous waste in Wales, including asbestos waste.
NRWs role includes overseeing compliance with environmental permitting requirements, regulating waste facilities that receive asbestos waste, and taking appropriate enforcement action where environmental legislation is breached. In carrying out these functions, NRW works alongside other regulators, including the Health and Safety Executive.
NRW are not engaged with any discussions relating to the decommissioning of wind turbines containing asbestos and are not aware of any assessments in relation to asbestos in wind turbines on NRW managed land.
The Welsh Government has not issued guidance specific to asbestos-containing components in wind turbines, assessed wind turbines on Welsh Government estate, or had discussions with the Health and Safety Executive, as these are primarily not devolved matters. The Health and Safety Executive is aware of the presence of asbestos-containing components in some wind turbines and is working with industry stakeholders to ensure that, where such components are identified, they are removed safely across GB.
Operators, owners, and contractors are expected to follow the applicable legislation and guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive.
In addition, my officials have consulted with Renewables UK, the representative body for renewable energy industries, on this issue.