§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the number of accidents at British Coal collieries at which there were either loss of life or serious injuries in each of the last five years and add the ratio of such incidents per 100,000 shifts worked in each year.
§ Mr. NichollsThe information is not available in the format asked for; the number of fatal injuries and major injuries in British Coal collieries over the last five years are as follows:
621W
§ Mr. LofthouseTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of concerns about the incidence of underground fires in British Coal collieries; and if he will pursue the matter with Her Majesty's inspector.
§ Mr. NichollsMy right hon. Friend is concerned about any incident which affects health and safety, but the number of underground fires in British Coal mines fell from 72 in 1987–88 to 52 in 1988–89. Reducing the number of underground fires is a primary objective of the Health and Safety Executive which through the work of the mines and quarries inspectorate, is actively monitoring safety measures taken by British Coal. These include the application of more sophisticated inspections and detection techniques, the raising of standards in the specification, design, installation and maintenance of machinery and equipment and the continuing development of fire-resistant materials.
§ Mr. LofthouseTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) on how many occasions fire or smoke detection devices in British Coal collieries have been put out of use without notice being given to those employed in the colliery or Her Majesty's inspector;
(2) what information he has on whether underground fire or smoke alarms or similar monitoring equipment have been put out of operation or use by British Coal insofar as smoke or fire detection is concerned.
§ Mr. NichollsThere is no statutory requirement for the Health and Safety Executive to be given notice of fire or smoke detection devices that have been put out of use and therefore the information requested is not available.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on whether the use of free moving underground vehicles has led British Coal to put out of use fire or smoke detection and warning devices.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Health and Safety Executive is not aware of any fire detection systems being put out of use by the operation of free-steered vehicles underground.