HC Deb 06 August 1976 vol 916 cc1133-4W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the Italian explosion at the factory manufacturing trichlorophenol, he will instruct the Factory Inspectorate to report fully on its recent inspection of the Bolsover coalite plant.

Mr. John Grant

A team of inspectors including specialists drawn from the Factory Inspectorate's Electrical, Chemical and Engineering Branches are carrying out a detailed examination of the coalite plant. Their examinations are nearing completion and the results of these examinations are being evaluated. When this has been done a report will be prepared in the usual way. The findings of the inspectors and information about any action they propose to take will be given to the management and representatives of the work people in accordance with Section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The plant currently is closed for the annual shut down and maintenance period which has been extended in order to complete a reappraisal of the safety precautions and equipment. In the meantime the company has now agreed that the plant will not be restarted until the Inspectorate is entirely satisfied that everything has been done to ensure safe operation.