§ Hugh BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 2002,Official Report, column 1169w, on safety training for railway employees, what information is collated by the (a) Health and Safety Executive and (b) individual railway companies on the number of railway employees who hold certificates of competence to work on railway tracks; what information about this was collected by British Rail prior to privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [40547]
§ Mr. JamiesonRegulation 3(1) of the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 requires employers to keep adequate records of any assessments undergone by safety critical employees. The Health and Safety Executive does not collate such information itself.
§ Hugh BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the non-professional railway occupations for which572W employees are required to hold a certificate of competence or to show that they have completed appropriate training before being allowed to perform their job; and if he will state the type of certificate or qualification which is required in each case. [40525]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 require employers to ensure that all employees carrying out work vital to the safe operation of the railways are competent and fit to carry out that work. The types of activities considered safety critical are described in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance to these regulations. This is available on the HSE website at www.house.gov.uk. Specific requirements for demonstrating competence are not set down in the regulations.