§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the health and safety implications of increased casualisation of dock work. [67417]
§ Mr. MealeIt is not possible to assess how recent changes in the patterns of employment in the docks industry have affected health and safety. Such changes have included increasing mechanisation, bulk handling and containerisation at the same time as a substantial reduction in the numbers working in the docks. The256W Health and Safety Executive regularly meets docks industry representatives to review trends and consider any issues which might affect health and safety.