§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Paymaster General upon what evidence of safety levels he based his decision to introduce condition 6 of the certificate of exemption No. CON(L0)/1981/82 (General) concerning the use of excavators for pipe-laying and related practices.
§ Mr. TrippierIt is standard practice to fit safety devices to hydraulic cranes to prevent the load falling due to hydraulic failure. In issuing the certificate of exemption, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories required that the same standards of safety should apply to excavators used as cranes.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Paymaster General what estimate he has made of the cost to the construction industry of the modifications to plant required by condition 6 of the certificate of exemption No. CON(LO)/1981/82 (General) governing the use of excavators in pipe-laying and related activities.
§ Mr. TrippierNo estimate is available. The construction industry was extensively consulted on the terms of this certificate of exemption. The cost of modifying plant will depend on the type of excavator and the modifications needed. Some employers may decide not to use excavators for these purposes.