§ Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many accidents at work have been reported during the latest 12-month period for which figures are available attributable to the use of nail guns.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am advised by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that 43 of the notifications of accidents under the Factories Act in the first six months of 1975 have been identified as attributable to the use of hand-held pneumatic nailing and stapling guns.
§ Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will consider prohibiting the use of nail guns on building sites.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that Her Majesty's Inspectors of Factories are at present investigating accidents reported to them involving these guns. From their findings consideration will be given to what action is necessary. At present I have no plans to prohibit their use on building sites.
§ Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the safety regulations governing the design and use of nail guns.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the commission is satisfied with the existing provisions governing the design and use of nail guns. Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974 places a duty on the designer and supplier of such equipment to ensure that the article is so designed and constructed as to be safe and without risks to health when properly used.