HC Deb 29 March 2004 vol 419 cc1256-7W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received from mountaineering organisations in relation to the Health and Safety Executive's proposed regulation for working at height; and if he will make a statement. [163422]

Mr. Browne

My right hon. Friend has received 11 letters in the past year with regard to the impact of proposed Work at Height Regulations on outdoor activities, such as climbing, caving, hill walking, and mountaineering. None of these letters were sent by mountaineering organisations, although two of the letters expressed specific concern about how the proposed regulations would impact on mountaineering.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has conducted into the impact of the Health and Safety Executive's proposed regulation for working at height upon(a) mountaineering, (b) hill walking, (c) abseiling, (d) rock climbing and (e) caving; and if he will make a statement. [163423]

Mr. Browne

HSE has sanctioned research to identify some generic principles for risk assessment and decision-making relating to rope working in mountaineering, caving and similar activities.

However, the regulations are expected to have little impact on these activities where the organisations concerned fully comply with the existing standards and practices laid down by their governing bodies.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Health and Safety Executive's proposed regulations for working at height on the rural economy; and if he will make a statement. [163424]

Mr. Browne

While the impact on the rural economy has not been estimated, the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Work at Height Regulations states that 'the costs per business are only around £100 per year'. However, it is worth noting that falls from height are the second largest factor in work place fatalities in the agricultural sector, resulting in 75 fatalities in the past 10 years, and such accidents damage the viability of rural businesses.