HC Deb 13 November 2000 vol 356 cc478-9W
Mr. Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many children were(a) involved and (b) killed in workplace accidents in each of the past 20 years. [137830]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 10 November 2000]The table shows the number of fatal and non-fatal injuries to children in workplace accidents reported to HSE and local authorities for the period 1986–87 to 1999–2000. The figures include both children at work and those not at work, but whose injuries arise out of or in connection with work activities. Data prior to 1986–87 are not available from HSE's databases.

Injuries to children1 reported to HSE2 and local authorities 1986–87 to 1999–2000
Year Fatal injuries Non-fatal injuries
1986–87 36 10,510
1987–88 34 8,651
1988–89 39 8,271
1989–90 42 6,547
1990–91 29 5,716
1991–92 24 6,420
1992–93 62 5,272
1993–94 44 5,626
1994–95 45 6,132
1995–96 22 6,255
1996–97 35 17,200
1997–98 30 13,941
1998–99 19 11,210
1999–20003 23 10,298
1 Children are defined as individuals aged one year and up to and including 15 years of age. A search criterion of 0 years produces records where age is not known, as well as children under the age of one. These data cannot be dissagregated.
2 Injuries reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1985 (for the years 1986–87 to 1995–96) and RIDDOR 1995 (for the years 1996–97 to 1999–2000). Data reported to HSE's Field Operations Directorate, Nuclear Safety Division, Hazardous Installations Directorate from 1999–2000 (Chemical and Hazardous Installations Division 1996–97 to 1998–99) and local authorities. Data reported to HSE's Railway Inspectorate can be searched only by passenger or employee and therefore have not been included.
3 Provisional.

Notes:

  1. 1. Non-fatal includes major and over three day injuries as defined by RIDDOR 1995.
  2. 2. Data from 1 April to 31 March.
  3. 3. Injury figures from 1996–97 cannot be directly compared to previous years' figures due to the introduction of RIDDOR 1995.

Mr. Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions there were involving(a) workplace accidents and (b) workplace deaths involving children in each of the past 20 years. [137831]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 10 November 2000]The table shows the number of prosecutions involving(a) workplace accidents to children and (b) workplace deaths involving children for the period 1996–97 to 1999–2000. Data prior to 1996–97 are not readily available.

Informations laid by HSE following reportable1 injuries to children 1996–97 to 1999–2000
Informations laid
Year Following a fatality Following a non-fatal injury
1996–97 — 9
1997–98 12 16
1998–99 8 7
1999–20001 1 36
1Provisional

Notes:

  1. 1. Reportable means as reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR 1995).
  2. 2. For 1996–97 to 1999–2000 proceedings instituted by HSE's Field Operations Directorate (excluding Railways Inspectorate), Nuclear Safety Division, Hazardous Installations Directorate (Chemical and Hazardous Installations Division before 1999–2000). In the time available, data reported to HSE's Railway Inspectorate have not been included.
  3. 3. Children are defined as individuals aged one year and up to and including 15 years of age. A search criterion of 0 years produces records where age is not known, as well as children under the age of 1. These data cannot be disaggregated.
  4. 4. These data include prosecution action taken between 1996–97 and 1999–2000 following fatalities and injuries occurring between 1996–97 and 1999–2000. All data relating to 1999–2000 are provisional.
  5. 5. Data from 1 April to 31 March.