§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been(a) killed and (b) injured in accidents involving gas explosions in each year since 1978–79, distinguishing between domestic and other users and gas industry staff.
§ Mr. NichollsI have been asked to reply.
The available information for injuries involving domestic and other users, and gas industry employees is show in the tables.
769W
Table 1 Injuries caused by gas explosions involving domestic and other users of piped flammable gas in Great Britain reported1 to enforcing authorities Fatal2 Non-fatal3 1981–82 37 168 1982–83 28 116 1983–84 27 124 1984–85 41 181 1985–86 27 166 1986–87 12 58 1987–88 12 72 1 Injuries arising from incidents reported under the 1972 Gas Act for the years 1981–82 to 1985–86 and under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1985 (RIDDOR) for later years. 2 Under the Gas Act initially non-fatal injuries which later became fatal were updated and reclassified. Under RIDDOR, the supplier/fitter is only required to notify HSE upon the receipt of an injury notification and may not be aware of the subsequent death of an injured person. 3 Under RIDDOR figures relate to injuries causing hospitalisation for more than 24 hours. Under the previous legislation, overnight stays in hospital were the basis of the reporting requirement.
Table 2 Injuries to employees involving gas explosions in the gas production and distribution sector1 reported2 to enforcing authorities 1986–875 1987–885 Fatal — — Major3 3 — Over 3 day4 4 1 1 The production and distribution of gas sector is defined as Standard Industrial Classification 1968 Minimum List Heading 601. 2 Injuries reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1985 (RIDDOR). Under the reporting regulations applying to earlier years it is not possible to distinguish injuries from explosions from other injuries. 3 As defined under RIDDOR. 4 Injuries causing incapacity for work for more than 3 days. 5 Year beginning 1 April.