§ Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in the light of recent medical evidence about the effects of opencast coal mining operations on the health of local populations, the Health and Safety Executive proposes to exercise its powers to prosecute under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3(1), in relation to the duty owed by employers in such undertakings to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that persons not in their employment who may be affected by their operations are not exposed to risks to their health; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe suggestion that opencast coal mining operations may have a significant effect on the health of local populations could only be tested by long term systematic epidemiological study. In the absence of medical evidence that there has been such a significant effect, no proposals have been put to me that regulations under section 3(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 are called for.
§ Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in the light of recent medical evidence about the effects of opencast coal mining operations on the health of local populations, he will prescribe under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3(3) the cases, circumstances and manner in which it shall be the duty of any employer operating an opencast coal mining undertaking to give to persons not in 595W his employment, who may be affected by the way in which he conducts his undertaking, prescribed information about such aspects of the way in which he conducts his undertaking as might affect their health; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Health and Safety Executive's mines and quarries inspectors carry out tests at selected opencast sites for the presence of airborne respirable dust which might affect the health of those on site and of the local population. These samples are then analysed to determine the presence of any respirable silica. The tests do not cater for the collection and analysis of non-respirable airborne dust. The procedure for such sampling was determined in close conjunction with the medical profession and is regularly reviewed. Inspectors consider each case to see what, if any, enforcement action is required under their statutory power.