§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what advice is given by Her Majesty's Inspector of Factories concerning the disposal of zinc-based dross.
Mr. Harold WakerThe basic principle of the advice given by HMFI to occupiers of factories about the disposal of zinc dross is that set out in Technical Data Note 6, i.e., the dross should be kept dry. Conditions under which dross is produced vary considerably in different factories, and consequently, where advice is necessary there is a need for individual adaptation and elaboration of the information in Technical Data Note 6.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many factories, subject to the Factories Act 1961, are known to produce zinc dross.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that zinc dross is produced by most industrial processes which involve the melting of zinc or the smelting of zinc ores. These would include, inter alia, the die casting, foundry, printing, plating and chemical manufacturing industries. The total number of premises involved in such activities is such that the cost of determining it would be disproportionately expensive.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment if all factories that produce or handle zinc dross are included on the District Inspector of Factories' list of hazardous factories.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that no list of factories which produce or handle zinc dross is kept by HMFI. Very many substances are potentially dangerous, and it would be impracticable to keep up-to-date lists of factories 661W identifying every specifically dangerous substance used.
The toxic risks which are known to exist are recorded in respect of registered factories, and that information is available to Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate in deciding its priorities.