§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there is a European directive or regulation, present or proposed, on vibrations caused by machinery or other equipment; if so, what is the purpose of the legislation; why is it not subject to subsidiarity; and whether it has the support of the Government. [HL4056]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive is expected to be adopted within the next few days and is required to be transposed into UK legislation in 2005. It sets minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to risks arising from hand-arm and whole-body vibration. The Government believe that the risks to health from exposure to vibration are such as to warrant action at Community level and welcome the directive in the form agreed by all member states and the European Parliament.