EWS IN BRIEF HSE launches new asbestos campaign The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new campaign, Asbestos: Your Duty, to improve understanding of what the legal duty to manage the hazardous mineral involves. Businesses and organisations responsible for premises built before the turn of the century and especially those built between 1950 and 1980, when use of asbestos in construction peaked - must carry out the necessary checks and understand their legal responsibilities. Updated information, new templates and explanatory videos can be found on the HSEs website to help those who are unsure of their legal duties or who need to refresh themselves on what they need to do. Voters back energy efficiency A majority of voters in Englands key marginal constituencies would be more likely to back a political party that has pledged to support home energy efficiency upgrades, according to a new poll. New research carried out by former Downing Street pollsters J L Partners, for pump manufacturer Grundfos, in 10 so-called bellwether seats says 60% of respondents were more inclined to vote for a party that emphasised energy efficiency in domestic settings, rising to 78% among undecided voters. More than three-quarters of those surveyed (77%) in the bellwether seats said they want more government support on energy efficiency. Social landlords face strict time limits to tackle mould Awaabs Law death will force landlords to swiftly address dangerous hazards Social landlords will have a new legal requirement to carry out emergency repairs within 24 hours under new legislation being proposed by the government. The Awaabs Law consultation, launched by Housing Secretary of State Michael Gove on 9 January, sets out strict new time limits to force social housing providers to take swift action to address dangerous hazards such as damp and mould. The consultation proposes new legal requirements for social landlords to investigate hazards within 14 days, start xing within a further week, and make emergency repairs within 24 hours. Those landlords who fail to do so can be taken to court, where they may be ordered to pay compensation to the tenants. The new law has been drawn up in response to the furore sparked by a coroners ruling in November 2022 that two-year-old Awaab Ishak died because of a severe respiratory condition triggered by prolonged exposure to mould in his familys social housing at. The consultation states that mould in homes must not be pinned on lifestyle choices. It says cooking, having a shower and putting clothes out to dry are part and parcel of living in a home. Awaab Ishaks death was triggred by exposure to mould Hywel Davies to retire from CIBSE CIBSEs chief technical ofcer Hywel Davies HonFCIBSE is to leave CIBSE next month after more than 25 years working for the Institution. He was the technical director from 2007 until September 2023, after 10 years at the BRE and 10 years as an independent consultant. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by CIBSE last year the rst to be given to a serving member of staff. Hywel headed up the expert group responsible for reviewing the use and structure of Approved Documents following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and advised on CIBSEs Covid-19 pandemic response. He is a former chair of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and member of the Health and Safety Executives Building Advisory Committee, where he will continue to serve as a member. CIBSE appointed Anastasia Mylona as technical director in September. Chief executive Ruth Carter said: I am condent the foundations Hywel has created and the world-class output that he has led will remain strong. 6 February 2024 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Feb 24 pp06 News.indd 6 26/01/2024 17:28