§ 41. Mr. Roweasked the Secretary of State for Employment what further measures he intends to take to fulfil his promise in the recent debate to be tougher in imposing the existing rules governing noise at work.
§ Mr. GummerThe Health and Safety Executive has today announced that the inspectorates concerned will be giving increased attention to the protection of workers from noise. Their common approach is intended to secure a more widespread compliance with the duties imposed on employers, the self-employed and employees by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in respect of this widespread and serious hazard. This approach will be based upon the "Code of Practice for reducing the exposure of employed persons to noise" which was first published by this Department in 1972. It will accordingly concentrate on the reduction of hazardous levels of noise at source in so far as this is reasonably practicable, but it will recognise that there are some industrial situations in which it remains necessary to insist on the provision and wearing of ear protection. I welcome this announcement and give it my full support.