§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish available statistics for recent years indicating the number of deaths and injuries caused in the home or factories through accidents 312W involving people walking into or falling through ordinary glass doors and windows; and what encouragement is being given to the use of safety glass.
§ Mr. John PattenAccording to the home accident statistics collected by the Department of Trade and Industry, there were four fatal accidents involving glass in the home in 1983 (the last year for which complete figures are available). Three involved glass doors and one a window pane. In 1985 there were 27,000 non-fatal home accidents (16,000 involving glass doors and 11,000 involving windows) recorded as requiring hospital treatment.
The Health and Safety Executive's records show no cases of fatal accidents in factories from 1981 to 1985 involving glass doors and windows (other than skylights). Separate figures are not readily available for injuries involving glazing.
The British standard code of practice on glass and glazing, which gives guidance on the use of safety glass, is being revised. If the general safety requirement proposed in the Consumer Protection Bill now before Parliament becomes law, the Government intend to approve this code of practice.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made with regard to the inclusion in building regulations of the increased use of safety glass in doors and windows; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenA consultative document on the review of the building regulations issued on 15 December 1986 proposes that a requirement should be added to the regulations requiring safety glazing in doors and low-level glazing in new building work subject to the regulations.