§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what new steps he intends to take to reduce accidents in the construction industry.
§ Mr. NichollsThe prime legal responsibility to bring about improvements rests with the industry itself. As part528W of a continuing process to promote longlasting change in the industry, the Health and Safety Commission is to take forward proposals for new legislation to strengthen the legal requirements relating to the management of health and safety on construction sites.
The Health and Safety Executive is continuing to target inspection activity where it will be most effective. That is on the more hazardous activities such as roof work and demolition, and on the quality of site management and its ability to manage health and safety. Inspectors continue to pursue inquiries and enforcement action to the highest levels in companies which do not measure up to the standards expected to them and are also vigorously enforcing the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations which came into force on 30 March 1990.