§ Mrs. Ann Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment what warnings the Health and Safety Executive has issued about the dangers of the disposable type of butane lighter for persons working in welding areas.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Health and Safety Executive knows of no serious accidents involving disposable butane lighters which have occurred in the United Kingdom. Reports of two serious accidents involving lighters of this type which are reputed to have occurred in the United States of America have been circulating for some time but it has proved impossible to identify the firms involved and the authenticity of the reports is now in some doubt. Tests were carried out by the research and laboratory services division of the Executive on some types of disposable lighters which indicated that they were not likely to be dangerous under normal industrial conditions provided that they were used sensibly. The tests indicated that in some circumstances hot welding slag could penetrate the plastic case of the lighter and ignite the contents. In view of the possibility of ignition of the contents of the lighter it would be inadvisable to have such a lighter in one's clothing when engaged in welding and Her Majesty's inspectors of health 301W and safety have been advised to draw this to the attention of firms where appropriate.