HC Deb 24 July 1990 vol 177 cc201-2W
50. Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he intends to introduce to prevent deaths due to agricultural work.

Mr. Forth

No legislative proposals are planned. However, the Health and Safety Executive will continue with its programme of strategies aimed at helping the agricultural industry to achieve reductions in fatal accident levels. These include: targeting inspection at those workplaces that present the greatest risk to employees, the self-employed, their families and the general public including children, carrying out advisory and publicity work to promote an increased awareness of health and safety in the industry, and liaising with all sides of industry to improve the health and safety aspects of products.

In seeking compliance with health and safety legislation, inspectors will also use innovative inspection techniques including blitz initiatives targeted at specific farming operations. They will also pay more attention to the management of health and safety.

Inspectors will pursue their inquiries and any enforcement action to the highest levels at workplaces which do not measure up to the standards expected of them.

63. Mr. Dunnachie

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he intends to introduce to prevent accidents and fatalities as a result of agricultural work.

Mr. Forth

No legislative proposals are planned. However, the Health and Safety Executive will continue with its programme of strategies aimed at helping the agricultural industry to achieve reductions in the numbers of non-fatal and fatal accidents. These include: targeting inspection at those workplaces that present the greatest risk to employees, the self-employed, their families and the general public including children, carrying out advisory and publicity work to promote an increased awareness of health and safety in the industry, and liaising with all sides of industry to improve the health and safety aspects of products.

In seeking compliance with health and safety legislation, inspectors will also use innovative inspection techniques including blitz initiatives targeted at specific farming operations. They will also pay more attention to the management of health and safety.

Inspectors will pursue their inquiries and any enforcement action to the highest levels at workplaces which do not measure up to the standards expected of them.