HC Deb 16 March 1973 vol 852 cc446-7W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action his Department intends to take to investigate the vulnerability of construction workers to low temperatures.

Mr. Channon

Investigation into low temperature site conditions for construction workers have already been carried out. In particular a Committee set up by the National Consultative Council of the Building and Civil Engineering Industries reported in 1971 on the promotion of weather protective clothing. Stemming from this work there is now a British Standard for protective clothing and new designs based on it are now available. In addition the use of temporary covers for building sites has been encouraged with increasing success.

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the report of Dr. Geoffrey Taylor on his site examination of construction workers' vulnerability to the cold.

Mr. Channon

The survey carried out by Dr. Taylor was part of an inquiry into the promotion of weather protective clothing by a Committee set up by the National Consultative Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industries. The findings of Dr. Taylor were made available to the industry in the Committee's report to the NCC and I see no need for further publication.