Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 17 November (WA 177), whether the risk of spilling petrol while dispensing petrol into a vehicle is greater when a person is speaking into a mobile phone than when a person is speaking to someone standing next to them; and, if not, whether they will amend the joint Health and Safety Executive/local authorities co-ordinators of regulatory services guidance to advise them that those dispensing petrol should do so in silence. [HL20]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)Unlike a conversation with a person next to you, using a mobile phone usually requires the use of one hand. It is, therefore, different from speaking to someone next to you.
It is also not the role of government Ministers to advise the safety experts at the Health and Safety Executive on the guidance issued to petroleum enforcement officers.