§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answers of 19 December 2002,Official Report, columns 999-1000W, on fairground safety, when the National Fairground Inspection Team was established; what its terms of reference are; how many members it has; to whom it reports; and what recommendations it has made since its establishment. [100770]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe National Fairground Inspection Team was established in April 2002.
The terms of reference and purpose of the National Fairground Inspection Team are to provide the operational contribution to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) strategy and workplan for fairground safety. This involves inspection, investigation and other initiatives to address significant risks. It also secures compliance with health and safety law and improves safety management in the industry. The team provides a focus for fairground inspection and ensures continuity of expertise.
The team is made up of local inspectors from HSE's Field Operations Directorate (F01)) located at HSE offices throughout the country. There are currently 37 inspectors and 12 principal inspectors who are nominated members of the National Fairground Inspection Team. Inspectors are not dedicated full time to the team but carry out their fairgrounds work in a planned way as part of their normal range of work. In addition, the Team may call on specialised disciplines (e.g. mechanical, structural, electrical, medical etc.) within HSE, and use the services of specialist contractors should the need arise.
The team is directed and coordinated by HSE's Food and Entertainment Sector and reports through the HSE Director Scotland to the Director of Field Operations.
The National Fairground Inspection Team does not make direct recommendations but provides operational intelligence to inform the HSE strategy and how it can best be taken forward.