§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the implementation in Wales of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1998.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI have been asked to reply.
The responsibility for the implementation of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH) rests with industry.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has committed substantial resources to promoting awareness and understanding of the regulations throughout Great Britain. It has produced a wide range of guidance material, given lectures, held seminars and made site visits to promote COSHH. HSE surveys show that over 80 per cent. of people in Great Britain work for companies aware of the regulations.
Where it has been necessary, enforcement action for breaches of the COSHH regulations in Wales has been initiated by the HSE.
122WAn evaluation report on the effectiveness of the COSHH regulations in Great Britain will be considered by the Health and Safety Commission later in the year, with a view to its publication.