§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment when his Department was first notified of an incident which occurred in the channel tunnel in January in which two channel tunnel workers were taken to hospital for treatment after a bolt of electricity arced across from the main cable; what is the standard procedure for notifying his Department of accidents in the channel tunnel; if he will publish a table giving a full list of accidents in or around the channel tunnel notified to his Department, including dates, nature and injuries sustained; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Health and Safety Executive was notified of this incident on 18 January. It notified the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority on 19 January.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 apply to the United 1025W Kingdom side of the channel tunnel, and reportable accidents and dangerous occurrences must be notified to HSE. HSE informs the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority immediately of any fatal accidents or incidents with potential for major consequences. HSE also reports regularly to the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority other accident information to assist accident prevention on the French side of the project.