§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ask the Health and Safety Executive to investigate further the potential impact of the European Commission's proposed physical agents directive. [20414]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe Health and Safety Executive's Regulatory Impact Assessments of the proposed physical agents directives on vibration and noise are available in the House of Commons Library. The Health and Safety Commission will, in the course of consultation on the regulations implementing the directives if adopted, publish further assessments of the costs and benefits of those regulations.
§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will provide financial support to businesses which are required to replace existing machinery under the European Commission's proposed physical agents directive. [20415]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThere are no requirements under the proposed physical agents directives on vibration and noise for businesses to replace existing equipment. It will be for businesses to decide, in the light of the final text of the directives which are still under negotiation, whether they wish or need to replace equipment to help them comply with requirements to limit exposure. In the case of the vibration directive there are long transitional periods before the exposure limitation requirement comes fully into force. The Government have no plans to offer financial support to businesses to comply with the legislation.