Written questions

Furniture and Waste Management: Health Hazards

Commons · Question 118706 · Tabled 9 Mar 2026 · Department for Work and Pensions · Official record

Answered 16 Mar 2026

Question

Asked by Kerry McCarthy

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the exposure to chemical flame retardants on workers in (a) the upholstery industry and (b) the waste

Answer

Answered by Sir Stephen Timms, 16 Mar 2026

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recognised the risks to textile workers who routinely handle finished fabrics, including those treated with fire-resistant finishes. HSE has produced a specific guidance page on its website which covers both the i...