§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she is aware that safety training conferences in industry are badly attended; what advice she gives to firms regarding the appointment of safety officers; if she will take steps to improve safety training; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. FernyhoughMy information is that such conferences (and courses) are generally well supported. The Department's advice, usually given by Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate, is that management should ensure that a sufficiency of accident prevention expertise is available. In some establishments the best, or only, way to meet this need is by employing a safety officer; he must be carefully selected and trained, and supported by management.
Industrial training boards are aware of the importance of ensuring that safety is given adequate attention in all industrial training activities, and guidance has recently been issued to them, on the advice of the Central Training Council, to facilitate their consideration of the training of safety officers, in particular.