§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what monitoring arrangements are in place to ensure safe working practices for operatives engaged in sewer maintenance. [26718]
§ Mr. OppenheimPrimary responsibility for setting up and monitoring safe working practices for operatives engaged in sewer maintenance rests with the employers of operatives. The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 requires all employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Health and Safety Executive inspectors enforce health and safety legislation in the water industry.
§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the Health and Safety Executive last issued guidance for safe working practices for operatives engaged in sewer maintenance. [26717]
§ Mr. OppenheimThe Health and Safety Executive issued updated guidance in August 1994 on safe working practices in all confined spaces, including sewers and enclosed drains. A guidance package on occupational health risks for sewage is in preparation.
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§ Mrs. Helen JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many inspections were made last year by health and safety inspectors of contractors working on sewer maintenance. [26719]
§ Mr. OppenheimThe information is not available in the form requested. However, provisional figures indicate that inspectors made some 104 visits to sewage disposal activities in 1994–95.