HC Deb 23 November 1994 vol 250 cc228-9W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workplace incidents have resulted in death from chemical poisoning in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Mr. Oppenheim

The following table shows the number of workplace incidents in the United Kingdom, as reported to enforcement authorities, which resulted in death from chemical poisoning:

Year (Commencing 1 April Number of Incidents Number of Fatalities
1988–89 13 13
1989–90 7 8
1990–91 14 18
1991–92 11 12
1992–93 7 8

These figures do not include deaths as a result of long-term exposure to chemicals, deaths arising from chemical poisoning reported to Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines, nor to local authorities in Great Britain for which figures are not readily available. Chemical poisoning is defined as exposure to, or asphyxiation by, chemicals and fumes, including natural fumes such as methane in sewers.