§ Mr. Creville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will seek to require microwave ovens to be sited away from seated workers.
§ Mr. John Grant:The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the emission of radiation from microwave ovens manufactured and maintained in accordance with the relevant British Standard is such that a person could remain continuously in close proximity to an even with complete safety. There is therefore no special reason to require any minimum separation from seated workers.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what advice he has received from the Health and Safety Executive concerning special attention to be paid by inspectors to microwave ovens when making routine visits to catering or other establishments where they are in use.
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§ Mr. John Grant:The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the advice concerning microwave ovens issued by the Health and Safety Executive to its own inspectors and to local authority inspectors to whom inspection of most catering establishments has been allocated, recommends checks upon cleanliness and maintenance of door assemblies and seals and upon the functioning of safety interlocks. Monitoring instruments suitable for measuring emissions from microwave ovens are generally available. In addition, specialised advice is available to inspectors from the National Radiological Protection Board.