§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that works safety officers have received suitable training; and what progress has been made in using the provisions of paragraph 6 of Schedule 3 to the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act for this purpose.
§ Mr. John GrantSection 2(2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act already requires employers to provide, among other things, such information, instruction and training as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees. Where safety officers have been appointed, this requirement clearly applies as much to them as to any other employee. Whether Her Majesty's Government should take any further steps regarding the training of safety officers will need to be decided in the light of the considerations which, I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, the Commission is giving to the whole question of the employment, training and qualifications of safety officers. At present, therefore, I see no need to invoke for this purpose the powers contained in para. 6 of Schedule 3 to that Act.