Mr. Priceasked the Prime Minister whether he will ensure that the Department of Health and Social Security and the Department of Employment co-ordinate their research on the subject of damage to lungs caused by welding practices particularly in the shipbuilding industry; whether he is satisfied with the work being undertaken to overcome welders lung; and if he will support the restoration of mobile X-ray units to attend shipyards at least once each year.
§ Mr. BoothI have been asked to reply.
The prime responsibility within Government for commissioning or undertaking research into matters of occupational health rests with the Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission.
I am advised that "welder's lung" is not a clearly defined medical term. It may be applied purely to the condition—generally regarded as benign—where iron oxide particles are deposited in the lungs—that is, siderosis—or, more colloquially, to any respiratory complaints suffered by welders. Although a number of toxic conditions can be produced by gas and fumes generated during welding processes, the prevalence of any longer-term damage to the lungs, leading to excessive morbidity or mortality, is difficult to determine due to a number of factors such as smoking habits and previous employment records.
The Employment Medical Advisory Service is conducting a study of welders in the North-East to help clarify this and I understand that the Institute of Naval Medicine is also carrying out a series of studies in naval dockyards.
In addition, the Health and Safety Executive is represented on the Welding Institute project into the generation and control of welding fume and is concerned to promote progress in the development of adequate ventilation, which it considers to be the effective solution to most welding problems. In view of these initiatives, it seems that adequate work is being undertaken to encourage a healthy working environment for welders. The evidence 134W available does not appear to support the need for annual chest X-rays of welders.