§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures his Department has undertaken to provide information and appropriate occupational health expertise to employers who have employees that are in high-risk work related upper limb disorders occupations.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythMeasures taken by the Health and Safety Executive in recent years have included:
General guidance for employers on preventing work related upper limb disorders published in 1990;
A four-year campaign to raise employer awareness of work-related musculo-skeletal harm, including workplace visits, presentations, and leaflets. The final phase will be launched in April;
Guidance to family doctors on identifying any workplace dimension to upper limb disorders in patients, through a booklet and audio cassette;
An expansion of ergonomics training for HSE's employment medical advisory service staff and inspectors;
HSE ergonomic advice in workplaces identified as high risk.
An action programme recently agreed by the Health and Safety Commission included further plans for a simple guide for supervisors on assessing risks of these disorders; a booklet of case studies of practical solutions to ergonomic problems and guidance for the ceramics, food processing, and rubber sectors.