HC Deb 25 January 1989 vol 145 c624W
Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to improve the safety record in Britain's dockyards.

Mr. Nicholls

The new Dock Regulations and the Loading and Unloading of Fishing Vessels Regulations came into force on 1 January 1989. Both are aimed at promoting health and safety in docks and have the support of all sides of the ports industry. They reflect the technological changes that have occurred in cargo handling since the inception of the now revoked Docks Regulations 1934 and take account of the 1979 International Labour Office convention and recommendation on dock work. The Health and Safety Executive is working on establishing the new standards and is co-operating with the British Ports Federation and others to bring the requirements to the attention of all concerned.

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