§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were (a) injured and (b) killed at places of work as a result of faulty electrical plugs, sockets and switches during 1982, 1983 and 1984; which were caused by fires; and which were from other causes.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley:The latest available information is as follows:
Injuries reported to HSE inspectorates* in which faulty electrical plugs, sockets or switches were identified 1982 1983 Persons killed 7 9 Major injuries (excluding HM Factory Inspectorate for which data not available) 1 1 * Excludes injuries reported to local authorities. None of the injuries was caused by fire.
In 1982, 819 injuries involving more than three days' absence from work, due to any kind of exposure to, or contact with, electrical current, were reported to all authorities enforcing the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Of these, 41 were caused by fires or explosions. The figures for 1983 are 455 and 15, respectively, reflecting changed reporting arrangements. The numbers of these involving faulty electrical plugs, sockets or switches could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.