§ 41. Mr. Manuelasked the Minister of Labour how many casualties resulting from cave-ins during trenching operations took place during the years 1960 to 1963.
§ Mr. GodberThe numbers of reported accidents on excavation work for the last four years were: 173 in 1960; 178 in 1961; 211 in 1962 and 185 in 1963. This last figure is still provisional. Accidents due to cave-ins during trenching operations are not separately recorded
§ Mr. ManuelHave not these accident rates gone on unchecked for far too long? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how many deaths are included in this number of casualties in the building and allied industries? Will he now take steps—hitherto not taken by his Ministry—to make compulsory the provision of protective equipment during deep trenching?
§ Mr. GodberThe fatal accidents in those years were 17, 13, 19 and 16, respectively. Requirements about excavation of deep trenches are contained in the Construction (General provisions) Regulations, 1961, which have been in operation since March 1962. What we need, as my hon. Friend was saying earlier in another respect, is more publicity about construction work generally, so as to bring home to those concerned the dangers which exist.
§ Mr. ManuelHow many prosecutions have there been for offences against those regulations? Will not the right hon. Gentleman stress that machinery should be used for excavation wherever possible, so that men do not have to work in trenches insufficiently safeguarded?
§ Mr. GodberI do not have with me the figures for prosecutions, but I am sure that, in general, economic forces impel employers to use machinery wherever they can. I do not think that my comments are needed to reinforce that.