Freshly Dipped Sheep: Handling Precautions (Hansard, 15 June 1994)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Employment (Lord Henley)
My Lords, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations lay on the employers and the self-employed the responsibility of assessing any risks from such substances and taking the necessary precautions. The Government do not aim to provide specific advice for every situation found in the workplace. Our guidance sets out the general approach people need to adopt in controlling risks, including from handling dipped sheep.

§ The Countess of Mar
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Is he aware that at the moment there is a certain amount of confusion over the definition of a "freshly dipped" sheep? The Minister's noble friend Lord Howe said that it is a sheep that is still dripping when it comes out of the dip. Furthermore, neither the Health and Safety Executive nor the Veterinary Medicines Directorate will specify the period of time after which a sheep can be deemed safe. My concern is for people who may be working in covered markets or at shows. Many shows still require sheep to be dipped before they can be taken to a show. When working in enclosed spaces, people who are sensitive to chemicals might suffer adverse effects.

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, the noble Countess is right to point out that my noble friend Lord Howe provided a definition of freshly dipped sheep when he stated in a Written Answer: A sheep is regarded as being freshly dipped for the short period which follows immediately after dipping, when the sheep is still wet from the dip bath".—[Official Report, 26/5/94; col. WA57.] The noble Countess is right in saying that dangers are still attached to contact with sheep during the weeks immediately following dipping. That is why we provide 1694 a booklet to farmers, about which the noble Countess will know, to give them advice on the kind of precautions to take when handling such sheep. Similarly, people working in an auctioneer's show ring, and others whom the noble Baroness gave as examples, will know that, in the light of the COSHH regulations, they must make the appropriate assessment of the risks and then provide the appropriate protection to their employees if they are handling sheep in such circumstances.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, the Minister has spoken of a booklet which is sent specifically to farmers. Is he prepared to circulate that booklet also to the people to whom the Question refers? They are not farmers yet they must handle freshly dipped sheep, whatever the definition.

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, as the people to whom we are referring are part of the agricultural community, they will be well aware of the booklet and will be able to obtain it. It is not easy immediately to direct the booklet to them, whereas it is easy to direct it to all registered sheep farmers. I believe that they will be aware of the booklet. In addition, the COSHH regulations provide directions as to how to make the appropriate risk assessment. The first step is to gather information about the substances, the work and the working practices. From that, they can make the appropriate decisions about the precautions that they should take.

Lord Bruce of Donington
My Lords, will the Minister assure us that we shall not receive from the Commission a directive on this subject with about four preambles and 20 recitals? I know from my own personal experience of handling sheep in Lincolnshire in my youth that it is best not to take them into a confined space.

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, the noble Lord has shown remarkable restraint in waiting until the third Question to raise the subject of Europe. I cannot give him the assurance that he seeks; it is a matter for the Commission as to what directives it proposes. No doubt we shall resist any unsuitable directives, should they come forward, and we shall discuss any suitable directives with the appropriate authorities to make sure that they are exactly the right kind of directives.

§ Lord Monkswell
My Lords, bearing in mind the Minister's comments on the possibility of sheep being dipped prior to going to agricultural shows, and bearing in mind the presence of the public at such shows where sheep may have been previously dipped, what steps will the Government take to alert the general public to the risk that they might run in association with this problem?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, I did not refer to sheep being dipped before going to agricultural shows and the like; that was the noble Countess. If the authorities are asking for sheep to be dipped before they attend agricultural shows, using OPs, the substances about which we are particularly worried—or about which the noble Countess is particularly worried—it is fairly obvious that they will not be dipped that morning. The 1695 sheep will not be wet and only those in immediate contact with them will have to take the kind of precautions about which I am talking. I do not believe that that will affect the general public.