§ Mr. Kelleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act which apply to the control of emission from coal carbonisation plants.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerMy hon. Friend will appreciate that the Bill in question has not yet received the Royal Assent.
All the general provisions of Part I of the Bill will apply to coal carbonisation plants. These include the stated aim of maintaining or improving the standards of health safety and welfare established by or under existing health and safety legislation, including the Alkali etc. Works Regulation Act 1906, and the power of inspectors in appropriate circumstances to issue improvements or prohibition notices.
Emissions from coal carbonisation plants are at present controlled under the Alkali Act, which is scheduled for repeal and replacement by regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Bill. The Bill also places duties in relation to harmful emissions to the atmosphere on persons in control of such premises.
Employers are placed under a general duty to inform their employees of potential risks to their health or safety arising from their employment. They may also be required in prescribed circumstances 124W to provide information to the general public about any aspects of the way in which they conduct their undertaking which might affect health or safety.
These matters will come under the control of the Health and Safety Commission which is to be established under the Bill.