§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the safety measures in force for plants producing toxic chemicals; and if he will instigate a review of those measures in the light of the recent events in Milan.
§ Mr. John GrantThere is only one plant in the United Kingdom carrying out a similar process to Icmesa in Milan. 943W The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that he is satisfied with the safety measures at present in force in that plant but that the Health and Safety Executive has in hand a review of precautions there and at other plants with comparable hazards to reassess the safety measures in light of any new knowledge obtained from the explosion at Seveso.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Employment at what intervals compulsory medical checks are carried out on employees in plants producing toxic chemicals in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. John GrantThere are a number of health and safety regulations made under the Factories Acts which require compulsory statutory medical examinations of employees engaged in the production of toxic chemicals. These toxic chemicals include certain lead compounds, amido and nitro derivatives of benzene, chromates and bichromates, certain carcinogenic substances and certain radionuclides.
The relevant regulations are as follows:
Regulation Frequency of Medical Examinations Paint and Colour Manufacture (S.R. & O. 1907 No. 17). Every month. Lead Compounds Manufacture (S.R. & O. 1921 No. 1443). Every week. Carcinogenic Substances (S.R. & O. 1967 No. 879). Every six months. Chemical Works (S.R. & O. 1922 No. 731). Within 14 days of first appointment; then every month. Ionising Radiations (Unsealed Radioactive Substances (S.R. & O. 1968 No. 780). In the 14 months preceding employment and thereafter normally every 14 months.