§ Mr. Frank CookTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) guidance and (b) training is given to Health and Safety Executive inspectors on the issue of latex allergy; and how many enforcement actions have been taken by the Health and Safety Executive against NHS trusts over failures to implement legislation in relation to latex allergy in each of the past 10 years. [60576]
§ Mr. MealeHealth and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors enforce occupational health and safety law including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH). These regulations deal with, amongst other things, latex allergy. Latex allergy is included in one of HSE's Field Operations Directorate's key national objectives for health services. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and HSE produce a wide range of COSHH guidance material, some of which deals specifically with latex allergy. The Medical Devices Agency of the Department of Health have also produced guidance on latex allergy, in consultation with HSE. Further detailed guidance by HSE to inspectors on latex allergy is in preparation and will be issued next week.
All HSE inspectors receive training in COSHH and the related Approved Codes of Practice. These relate to latex allergy. As part of HSE's recent Good Health aids Good Business Campaign a number of internal training initiatives were held for inspectors which included such issues as occupational asthma and dermatitis.
Date Application London borough 10 September St. Paul's Hospital, Endell Street, WC2 Camden 30 September Battersea Bus Garage/Albion Wharf, Hester Road, SW11 Wandsworth 12 November Friends Provident Site, Brewhouse Street, SW15 Wandsworth 12 November Tooting Bec Hospital (Phase 2), Tooting Bec Road/Church Lane SW17 Wandsworth 10 November Gargoyle Wharf, York Road, SW18 Wandsworth