§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he proposes to take on the manufacturing and service industries 1983 report of the Health and Safety Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe manufacturing and service industries 1983 report records activity during the year by Her Majesty's factory inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive. It also sets out some of the inspectorate's current concerns and priorities.
In 1984 the inspectorate has continued its programme of assessment-based pre-emptive inspections to all sizes and types of premises. It has also undertaken targeted initiatives, either in respect of problems in particular industries or of widespread hazards, such as the effects of excessive noise and the failure to wear head protection in construction. It has continued its reactive work by investigating accidents and complaints and by giving advice.
I am satisfied that the inspectorate continues to allocate its resources on the basis of evaluation of competing priorities. It is the responsibility of all employers to see that their employees and the public are not put at risk by work activities; the duty of suppliers of articles and substances to see that these are safe; and it is for work people to co-operate in measures to prevent accidents and injury to health.