§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of(a) fatal and (b) serious reportable accidents per 100,000 manshifts in the deep coal mining industry between privatisation and 31 December 1995. [20199]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe figures are not available for the period in question. However, provisional figures for the period from 1 April 1995 to 30 September 1995 give rates of 0.08 fatal accidents and 3.17 major injury accidents per 100,000 manshifts in coal mines.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the accident rates recorded in the first year of the privatised deep coal industry. [20200]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNone. Full information for the year is not yet available.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action the mines inspectorate is taking to ensure that the accident reporting regime in the privatised deep coal mining industry adequately records the nature and cause of accidents so that preventative measures can be taken. [20201]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985 apply to coal mining companies as they do to all other employers. Their effect is to require the coal mining companies to notify the mines inspectorate of fatal accidents; major injuries; and injuries that incapacitate people from undertaking work which they might otherwise reasonably be expected to undertake for a period of more than three consecutive days; and certain specified dangerous occurrences. As part of its normal programme of inspection the mines inspectorate seeks to ensure that the companies are complying with the 1985 regulations. The 1985 regulations will be replaced with effect from 1 April 1996 by the new revised and updated 619W Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. The new regulations will continue the core injury and dangerous occurrence reporting requirements.