§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Health and Safety Commission's working group on ionising radiations has considered the subject of the protection of(a) construction workers and (b) indirectly employed labour at nuclear power plants.
§ Mr. ForthNo. The working group on ionising radiations (WGIR) has not considered the specific protection of these groups of workers. However, WGIR does consider all matters concerning the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 and related radiation protection matters that are referred to it by the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive.
§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether his Department has, or intends to have, any discussions with the National Radiological Protection Board over the protection of construction workers at sites under their sphere of responsibility.
§ Mr. ForthNo. The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) has no specific responsibility for construction workers. However, the Health and Safety Executive maintains a continuing dialogue with the NRPB on matters relating to radiation protection.
§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what differences exist in levels of protection offered between construction workers involved in the building of a nuclear plant and those directly employed in the plant.
§ Mr. ForthNone. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and its relevant statutory provisions require the same standards of protection to be applied to all workers at nuclear plants whether they are directly employed in the plant or are involved in its construction.