The Community of Madrid approves a new investment to continue eliminating asbestos in the Metro

At its meeting this week, the Governing Council of the Community of Madrid gave the green light to the award of the contract for the removal of asbestos-containing components from Metro trains, auxiliary vehicles and draisines, as well as from the tools and equipment used in their maintenance. The contract, which is part of the Madrid underground’s Asbestos Removal Plan, will last four years and will have an investment of 4.5 million euros.

Metro de Madrid has reinforced its actions for the identification, signposting and removal of asbestos-containing elements. In addition, all types of inspections and environmental control measurements are carried out in accordance with regulations to certify the safe use of the affected cars until their removal and replacement, as well as their reinstallation, once the presence has been eliminated. 

These processes are carried out in coordination with the different departments of the Madrid underground, in order to guarantee working conditions at all times and, at the same time, ensure the correct provision of the service to Metro users. 

The agreement is divided into two lots. The first comprises the 2000 A, 2000 B and 3000 narrow gauge train models and their maintenance equipment. The second includes the 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000 and 9000 wide gauge models, as well as their maintenance equipment, means of production, draisines and auxiliary vehicles.

The company is carrying out a plan to eliminate asbestos from all its convoys and facilities with a planned investment of 170 million euros, of which more than 62 million have already been allocated. With this project, agreed with the trade unions, it is expected that by 2028 the Madrid underground will be free of this material. The Metro has already tendered more than a hundred contracts since 2018 to carry out this plan.

AGREEMENT WITH THE WORKERS

On another note, last July Metro de Madrid signed an agreement with trade unions, workers affected by asbestos-related occupational diseases and their families to establish compensation for these employees and their heirs.

The total amount that Metro will pay after the signing amounts to 7,359,176.13 euros, corresponding to compensation for 7 workers and the families of 11 others. For those employees with a recognised occupational disease that has resulted in total permanent disability for their usual occupation, a compensation of 140,000 euros has been established, while for those with absolute permanent disability for all occupations, it has been agreed that it will amount to 190,000 euros.

If the worker is deceased, the spouse will receive 200,000 euros. For children, the amount varies depending on whether or not they live together and are financially dependent on the worker (between 66,650 and 115,525 euros).

Compensation payments are based on the criteria followed in court rulings and agreements reached by the company with the families of two workers in 2018 and 2019.