§ Lord Harvingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made towards elimination of excessive noise in industry since the debate on the partially deaf on 23rd March 1983.
1368WA
The Minister of State, Privy Council Office, and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)The Health and Safety Commission and Executive are currently promoting publicity to raise awareness of industrial noise as a health hazard. Health and Safety Inspectors monitor compliance with legal duties and promote observance of the existing voluntary code of practice on the subject. The Health and Safety Commission's Industrial Advisory Committees are considering what further can be done to control noise and protect hearing in each of the industries for which they are responsible. Negotiations continue in Brussels about a proposed Council directive, and decisions on the form of future legislation in Britain on the protection of workers from industrial noise will depend on the outcome of those discussions. Further action is planned to take place over the next year, including action to encourage machine designers to make adequate provision for noise contol at the design stage.