§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many prosecutions his Department has taken against companies for breaches in health and safety law on offshore gas and oil platforms; how many of these prosecutions have been successful; and what were the mean and modal fines imposed.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonDetails are available only from 1977. Since then 57 prosecutions of companies have been brought for breaches of health and safety requirements on offshore installations. 43 of these resulted in convictions. The mean and modal fines imposed were £1,100 and £500 respectively.
§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will list the requirements, showing the Acts under which they appear, for safety training for contract workers on oil and gas rigs.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a general obligation on all employers 315W —whether they are operators or contractors—to provide training to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of their employees. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application Outside Great Britain) Order 1977 extended this obligation offshore.
In addition, there are specific requirements under both the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 for the training of employees working with lead, asbestos and ionising radiations, and for medical staff and radio operators. There are also requirements for the appointment or competent persons to be responsible for the control and safety of operations.