Health and Safety

HC Deb 14 October 1996 vol 282 c803W

Mr. Callaghan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend health and safety protection at work. [39994]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Government have no plans, at present, to extend the application of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and related legislation on health and safety at work.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the number of people, in each region who are exposed at work(a) to noise at levels which can permanently damage their hearing and (b) to ergonomic problems which can permanently damage their health. [40472]

Sir Paul Beresford

The information is not available in the form requested.

The Health and Safety Executive estimates that around 500,000 people are exposed to noise at work of above 90 dB(A), the level at which employers are legally required to reduce exposure and provide hearing protection.

There are no figures on the number exposed to ergonomic problems at work, either nationally or regionally. Most such problems can readily be put right and do not cause permanent damage to health if appropriate action is taken.