§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to seek to improve the safety record in the demolition section of the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsNew regulations are being prepared which provide for the management and co-ordination of health and safety on multi-contractor sites, increase the number of safety supervisors in smaller companies and amend the site notification procedure to identify sites where there are high risk activities. The introduction of regulations which would make the wearing of safety helmets compulsory on construction sites is also planned.
In addition to concentrating on the inspection of the more hazardous activities in the industry such as demolition and roofwork, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors will also be paying more attention to the quality of site management and its ability to manage health and safety.
Inspectors will be looking at the level of training and supervision that has been provided and the precautions that have been taken to control the risks posed by demolition activities and will continue to draw attention to 253W HSE published guidance on this subject. They will pursue their inquiries and any enforcement action to the highest levels in companies which do not measure up to the standards expected of them.