§ Mr. Woodallasked the Secretary of State for Employment what functions the Health and Safety Commission has asked the Pipelines Inspectorate to perform; and in relation to what workers and what places of work.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Pipelines Inspectorate
506Wat employment rehabilitation centres and skillcentres up to and including the most recent published figures:
has been asked by the commission to continue with its enforcement functions under those sections of the Pipelines Act 1962 which became the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive at the beginning of 1975, namely, Sections 20 to 23, 26 and 33.
The inspectorate has also been asked to undertake functions under Part I of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, and these latter functions are exercisable in respect of the health, safety and welfare of persons at work and protecting persons others than those at work against risks to health and safety arising out of or in connection with the operation and maintenance of any pipeline within the meaning of the Pipelines Act 1962, not being a pipeline referred to in Sections 58 to 62 of that Act.
§ Mr. Woodallasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the functions which the Pipelines Inspectorate performs for the Health and Safety Commission include (a) prosecution for offences under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and (b) the issuing of notices under Section 21 and Section 22 of that Act.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the present functions performed by the Pipelines Inspectorate do not include prosecution for offences under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 or the issuing of notices under Sections 21 and 22 of that Act. However, an agreement is being negotiated between the Health and Safety Commission and the Department of Energy which will enable the Pipelines Inspectorate:
- (a) to exercise the powers of an inspector specified in
- (i) Sections 20, 21, 22, 25 and in England and Wales Section 39 of
507 the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974; - (ii) any health and safety regulations as in force from time to time; and
- (b) to institute proceedings in England and Wales pursuant to Section 38 of the 1974 Act.
These powers will be exercisable in respect of the health, safety and welfare of persons at work and protecting persons other than those at work against risks to health and safety arising out of or in connection with the operation and maintenance of any pipeline within the meaning of the Pipelines Act 1962, not being a pipeline referred to in Sections 58 to 62 of that Act.