Industrial Injuries (Hansard, 2 March 1993)

§ Mr. Cryer
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action she is undertaking to increase reporting of industrial injuries following the publication of the Health and Safety Executive supplementary report to the 1990 labour force survey.

§ Mr. McLoughlin
Since publication of the initial results of the Health and Safety Executive supplement to the 1990 labour force survey in the Health and Safety Commission annual report 1990–91, the HSE's operational divisions have emphasised the reporting requirements at visits and have continued to inquire into accident reporting practices and closely examine records as a routine part of inspection. Where appropriate prosecution for failure to report an injury is instituted. Detailed information on the reporting requirements is provided to every new employer that comes to the HSE's attention. Local authorities have taken similar action in premises for which they are the enforcing authority.
The HSE has also commissioned research into employer's awareness and understanding of the requirements. The results are likely to influence legislative proposals, to simplify both the reporting requirements and the reporting arrangements, to be brought forward later this year by the HSC.

§ Mr. Cryer
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of estimated working days lost through industrial injury under the labour force survey and Health and Safety Executive supplementary report; what action she proposes to reduce this figure; and if she will make a statement.

§ Mr. McLoughlin
A supplement to the 1990 labour force survey, sponsored by the Health and Safety Executive, showed that employed people in Great Britain took around 23 million days off work as a result of workplace injury in the year to spring 1990.
Responsibility for maintaining and improving health and safety standards rests with employers and others concerned at the workplace.
The Health and Safety Commission's priorities for promoting improvements in health and safety at work are set out in its plan of work for 1993–94 and beyond, which will shortly be submitted to my right hon. Friend for approval and is expected to be published in the spring.