§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Employment when the premises of Swift (Chemicals) of Chatteris were last visited by the Health and Safety Inspectorate; and how often they have been visited by inspectors since 1975.
§ Mr. John Grant,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th January 1978; Vol. 942, c. 728], gave the following information:
The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the premises of Swift (Chemicals) of Chatteris were visited by an inspector of health and safety on 13th February 1975, 25th September 1975, 28th October 1975, 1st April 1976, 9th October 1977 and 24th January 1978.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he will seek powers to ensure that inspection of industrial premises is effected before production recommences after a major fire;
(2) whether it is the practice of the Health and Safety Inspectorate to re-examine industrial premises after a major conflagration such as occurred at Swift (Chemicals) of Chatteris, in October 1977.
§ Mr. John Grant,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th January 1978; Vol. 942, c. 728], gave the following information:
The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informed me that the Factory Inspectorate do not necessarily re-examine industrial premises after a major fire. Its normal practice is to investigate the causes of various fires and, depending on the result of the investigations, take 788W such action as may be appropriate in the particular case. If matters of substance have been found to require attention to limit the chance of further fires the premises will be revisited to ensure that the required action will be taken.
In the case of the fire at Swift (Chemicals) Chatteris in October 1977 an investigation of the circumstances was carried out, but the precise cause of the fire could not be determined. The firm has been advised to discuss any plans it might have for the rebuilding of the plant which had been destroyed with the Factory Inspectorate.
I am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are sufficient for control of industrial process hazards. Health and safety inspectors are empowered to ensure that adequate controls are provided for the safety of the work force and for other persons who may be affected by the work activity.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied that the two fires within three months at Swift (Chemicals) Chatteris were not occasioned by industrial negligence.
§ Mr John Grant,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th January 1978; Vol. 942, c. 728], gave the following information:
The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission has informed me that in spite of investigation by an inspector of health and safety and by an expert on behalf of the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, the cause of the fire on 9th October 1977 could not be determined. Investigation of the fire on 22nd January 1978 has begun, and further inquiries concerning the piece of plant involved in the fire are being made. Until these investigations are complete no conclusions can be reached on the question of industrial negligence.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the monitoring carried out by the Health and Safety Inspectorate, in view of the two fires at Swift (Chemicals) Limited, Chatteris; and if he will seek to amend the Health and Safety at Work Act so as to provide for more frequent inspections 789W at plants using highly inflammable raw materials.
§ Mr John Grant,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 26th January 1978; Vol. 942, c. 728], gave the following information:
The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that, within the limits of its current resources, he is satisfied with the amount of monitoring carried out by the Factory Inspectorate at Swift (Chemicals) of Chatteris. There is no need to amend the Health and Safety at Work Act to carry out more frequent inspections of plants where highly flammable raw materials are used. The frequency of inspection of all premises is determined by the Factory Inspectorate, using a system which reflects the degree of risk in the premises and the management's effectiveness in dealing with health and safety matters.