§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the reasons why some water authorities have about twice the number of reportable accidents per 1,000 employees as the Thames water authority; and if he will ensure that greater regard is paid by these authorities to safety standards.
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§ Mr. WaddingtonI have been asked to reply.
Notification to the Health and Safety Executive of accidents occurring to employees throughout the water industry has been required by law only since 1 January 1981, when the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980 came into force. It is as yet too early to make a valid assessment of trends or differences in performance as between authorities.
However, it is intended that the incidence rate of accidents at each water authority will, when available, be considered by the Health and Safety Executive area directors designated to contact and advise directors of operations of water authorities. This will form part of a comprehensive evaluation of the performance, policy and organisation for safety and health of water authorities. Because these arrangements have already been made, little purpose would be served at present by mounting a special investigation.
At national level the Health and Safety Executive discusses the performance of the industry with the National Water Council, with a view to improving standards.