§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the safety record of companies working on the channel tunnel project.
§ Mr. ForthThe Government and Health and Safety Executive have made clear their concern about accidents on the channel tunnel project. The contractors are now engaged in a programme of implementing the recommedations made in the HSE's accident prevention advisory unit's recent audit of safety management on the project. The HSE is monitoring this process carefully.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements are made for the Health and Safety Executive to inspect the channel tunnel workings.
§ Mr. ForthIt is for the Health and Safety Executive to make arrangements for inspections of the channel tunnel634W workings. Inspectors visit the workings regularly to inspect and monitor conditions and to investigate incidents and accidents.
§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has indentified any additional safety measures which might be introducted on the channel tunnel project to make working safer.
§ Mr. ForthResponsibility for health and safety on the channel tunnel project rests with the employers.
The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) accident prevention advisory unit carried out an audit of the management of health and safety on the channel tunnel project in May 1990. The contractors have accepted the recommendations of the audit and are now engaged in a programme of implementing them. HSE is monitoring that process carefully. HSE inspectors continue to visit the channel tunnel sites and will continue to take whatever action is necessary to maintain and develop safety standards.