§ Mr. Pollockasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a short but representative list of metal woodworking machinery and hand tools which may not be operated by adolescents under a minimum age; and what is the minimum age in each case.
§ Mr. GummerNo person under the age of 16 may be employed in any industrial undertaking. Under the Woodworking Machines Regulations 1974, in factories, certain circular sawing machines, planing machines and vertical spindle moulding machines may not be operated by a person under 18 years of age unless the person has successfully completed an approved course of training, or is undertaking such training and is properly supervised.
The operation of circular saws is also restricted in agriculture and forestry by the Agriculture (Circular Saws) Regulations 1959 which prohibit persons under 16 from operating or assisting at a circular saw, and persons who are at least 16 but under 18 from operating a circular saw except under the supervision of someone who is at least 18.