§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent the Health and Safety Inspectorate is involved in the Royal Navy dockyard, Chatham, regarding the protecting of dockyard staff from radioactivity; and how many of the inspectorate and workers are involved in similar duties in the United Kingdom generally.
§ Mr. WaddingtonFactory inspectors from the South-East area of the Health and Safety Executive regularly visit Her Majesty's dockyard, Chatham, to assess compliance with legal requirements placed upon management and relating to the health, safety and welfare of its employees. During such visits protection of dockyard workers from ionising radiations is one of the many aspects of health and safety that is considered.
204WAny one inspector in the appropriate industry group (usually comprising three or four inspectors) may spend time on such work and be supported by specialist inspectors when necessary.
Similarly, dockyards in other parts of the country are also visited by inspectors in the areas concerned.
The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate is responsible for inspecting the nuclear fuel storage facility in Her Majesty's dockyard, Chatham and in other Royal Navy dockyards. One inspector spends part of his time on this work.
The Health and Safety Executive does not have information as to how many workers are engaged in such work in the Royal Navy dockyards.