HC Deb 03 May 1955 vol 540 cc1489-91
13. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Labour to what causes he attributes the increase in the accident rate in the building industry by 50 per cent. between 1948 and 1953 in spite of the introduction of his Regulations in 1948; and how he proposes to lower the rate at which men are injured in this industry.

Mr. Watkinson

The apparent increase in the accident rate at building operations can be attributed, in part at least, to the efforts constantly being made by the Factory Inspectorate to secure a better understanding by employers of their obligation to report accidents in accordance with the provisions of the Factories Act. Fatal accidents, which are reported almost without exception, have not increased.

The accident rate will be reduced by better observance of the safety Regulations on the part of employers and workers, and the Factory Inspectorate will continue to give close attention to ensuring that these obligations are understood and complied with. The Chief Inspector is now carrying out a special investigation of accidents on certain building operations to see whether any further action can usefully be taken.

Dr. Stross

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for his comprehensive reply, may I ask him whether, in view of the fact that these Regulations are perhaps the most advanced which we have for any industry, the fact that there has been an apparently significant increase in the accident rate suggests that there is again and again a breach of the Regulations? Will he change his mind about safety committees, and have their existence enforced by statutory methods rather than leave their existence entirely to voluntary creation?

Mr. Watkinson

No, Sir. The problem in the building industry, as we see it, is one of getting the existing Regulations properly carried out, and that is a matter for my inspectors.

Mr. Lindgren

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that both the frequency and severity rates of accidents have increased, and that those in the building trade attribute a measure of that increase to the fact that there is a greater degree of sub-contracting work done now, so that the main contractor has not a responsibility for plant and equipment, while many of the sub-contractors are working on a shoe string with equipment?

Mr. Watkinson

I should not like to accept that as the main cause by any means.

Mr. Elwyn Jones

Can the Minister take steps to bring the existence of these Regulations to the knowledge of those concerned in the building industry, because there has been evidence in recent cases of ignorance of their terms and conditions? Wider publicity for the Regulations might make some contribution to a solution of this problem. Further, if in recent years there have been prosecutions for non-compliance with the building Regulations, what has been the result of them? There is disturbing evidence of widespread failure to comply with the Regulations and it is important to know what action has been taken.

Mr. Watkinson

I certainly cannot reply to the second part of that supplementary question without notice. As far as the first part is concerned, the Chief Inspector is now carrying out a special investigation to see what steps we can take to make the Regulations more widely known.