§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps have been taken to improve safety standards on all vessels carrying hazardous cargoes entering United Kingdom ports following the recent Health and Safety Executive findings concerning tanker safety; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewResponsibility for the enforcement of adequate safety standards for ships carrying hazardous cargoes is shared by the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Trade. HSE Inspectors visit ships in port to ensure that good operating practices are observed, and will continue to do so. They have certain enforcement powers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act. It is hoped to arrange a training course for the purpose of training further inspectors in the techniques of enforcing the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act in its application to the loading and unloading of hazardous cargoes in ports.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade is responsible for the enforcement of ship construction and equipment standards in accordance with the safety of life at sea convention. Investigations by the Department of Trade into a number of defects disclosed by HSE inspectors are in progress.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many enforcement notices were served by the Health and Safety Executive on vessels carrying hazardous cargoes berthing at jetties in the River Thames in 1979 and up to the latest convenient date in 1980.
§ Mr. MayhewFrom 1 January 1979 to 31 October 1980, 19 improvement notices and three prohibition notices were served on vessels carrying hazardous cargoes berthing at jetties on the River Thames.