HC Deb 01 November 1996 vol 284 cc266-7W
Mr. Ian McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people have been diagnosed as contracting occupational dermatitis in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [1136]

Sir Paul Beresford

The industrial injuries compensation scheme administered by DSS tends to record the most serious cases of (non-infective) dermatitis. The numbers of new cases assessed at 1 per cent. or more disability, based on a 100 per cent. count of cases from 1985–86 to 1994–95 are as follows:

Year Number of cases of dermatitis
1985–86 785
1986–87 464
1987–88 368
1988–89 285
1989–90 301
1990–91 434
1991–92 411
1992–93 419
1993–94 392
1994–95 368

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional measures are being evaluated to protect construction workers employed on the London Underground Jubilee line extension from contracting occupational dermatitis. [1139]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Health and Safety Executive has completed a follow-up survey on one site. This showed that where the full range of measures was used, cases of dermatitis had reduced by 80 per cent.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many construction workers employed on the London Underground Jubilee line extension have been diagnosed as contracting occupational dermatitis. [1137]

Sir Paul Beresford

Of the 133 men examined by HSE's employment medical adviser, 10 showed signs of occupational dermatitis.

Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures were taken at the outset of the London Underground Jubilee line extension to protect construction workers from occupational dermatitis. [1138]

Sir Paul Beresford

Protective measures are the responsibility of the contractors engaged in the project. I am informed by the Health and Safety Executive that washing facilities were provided at all Jubilee line extension sites. It is not possible to state the extent to which other measures such as protective clothing, skin creams and training were made available by contractors.