§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the protection afforded to hospital workers under the Health and safety at Work Act 1974, both generally and also in connection with the possible transmission of very dangerous infectious diseases.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that he is satisfied that the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 will protect all workers in hospitals both in general and in particular against the possible transmission of very dangerous diseases. But as the majority of workers in hospitals have been covered by safety legislation only since the coming into force of the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Health and Safety Commission has instructed the Health and Safety Executive to undertake a study of working conditions in hospitals. This study has been started and the findings should be reported to the commission at the beginning of 1977.