§ Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will study the statements made in the week beginning 28 February by the Sheffield coroner calling for tighter safety precautions for young people taking part in the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Manpower Services Commission has studied the coroner's remarks carefully. As the right hon. Member will be aware, commission officials are closely in touch with the Health and Safety Executive to ensure the safety of young people on training schemes.
§ Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons participating in the youth opportunities programme have been injured during the most recent two year period for which figures are available; how many have died; how many have lost limbs; and how this compares with numbers for the same age range in general employment.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Health and Safety Executive does not compile separate accident statistics for employed young people in this age group. The information requested about accidents on the youth opportunities programme is supplied in the following table, which includes all accidents involving an absence from work of one day or more. The Chief Inspector of Factories's report for 1981 shows that in general employment there were 20 notified accidents per 1,000 employees (all ages and industries); but these figures cover only those accidents resulting in three or more days' absence.
322W
April 1980-March 1981 April 1981-March 1982 Number of YOP entrants 360,000 553,000 Number of notified accidents 1,719 3,251 Fatalities 4 6 Loss of limb 0 0 Loss of hand or foot 1 1 Loss of finger(s) or toe(s) 22 42 Accident rate per 1,000 trainees 4.8 5.8 Minor injuries (mainly cuts, bruises, sprains) (including above) 1,539 2,974