§ Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Health and Safety Executive has up-to-date computerised information concerning the contents of hazardous materials stored on industrial premises; and, if so, to whom it is available.
§ Mr. Mayhew[pursuant to his reply, 13 February 1980. Vol. 978, c. 453]: The Health and Safety Executive maintains no computerised information about the quantities of hazardous materials stored in industrial premises. Certain information about the composition of materials supplied under trade names is held, for convenience, on a computer. Much of this information is provided by manufacturers and suppliers on a voluntary basis and in confidence and it is used by inspectors within the Health and Safety Executive as the basis of practical advice to management and work people about precautions to be taken. The actual composition is not made available outside the Health and Safety Executive. Manufacturers and suppliers have a duty under section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to make available to users information so as to ensure that the substances which they supply are safe and without risks to health when properly used.