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Written Question
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Health and Safety
Tuesday 12th March 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra designs work and workplaces to adapt to the needs of the individual so far as is reasonably practicable.

Defra’s Health and Safety Policy, and Management System, focuses on the principles of prevention of all work-related harm. Work tasks and activities of the individual are risk assessed by the business using a framework of policies and good practice guidance (based on legislation and Health and Safety Executive legal guidance) to develop safe systems of work. Line managers are responsible for ensuring that work roles and tasks are suited to the individual and that employees are competent to carry out tasks and roles safely and without risk to physical or psychological health.

The majority of Defra workplaces provide a range of flexible workspaces, furniture and equipment to suit the work activity of the team or individual. Bespoke or specialist items are provided if an employee requires personal adaptations for health and safety purposes or workplace adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.


Written Question
Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Health and Safety
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) designs work and workplaces to adapt to the needs of individuals. Our primary headquarters and hub locations offer flexible and ergonomic work environments, which should accommodate most individuals’ requirements at the standard level. DCMS has a comprehensive framework of guidance and process materials to ensure individuals who may have any additional requirements are fully supported. The department offers flexible working, in line with Hybrid Working guidance and our dedicated Workplace Adjustments team and HR colleagues strive to ensure that staff with additional needs are not disadvantaged and have appropriate workplace adjustments in place.


Written Question
Department for Education: Health and Safety
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)

The department is an inclusive employer that is committed to ensuring that any employee requiring an adjustment is treated fairly and has equal opportunities.

The department’s provision of workplace adjustments includes assessing individual needs on a case-by-case basis. These assessments lead to the provision of physical adjustments, such as chairs or desks, to neurodiversity adjustments such as coaching, to the provision of transport and to varying assessments that recommend tools or adjustments that can support individuals in their roles. In addition, the department provides flexible working approaches and encourages employees to utilise the department’s occupational health provider where required.

Where recommendations are received as a result of occupational health or other medical providers, the department works with employees and line managers to put in place all reasonable adjustments. In addition, the department follows the Government Workplace Guide where possible.


Written Question
Treasury: Health and Safety
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Regulation 4 paras 29 and 30(d) and the corresponding Schedule 1 (d) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 does not fully relate to the work of HM Treasury as it is an office-based department that is focused on policy delivery. HM Treasury do not use personal protective equipment to do their work..

However, HM Treasury do carry out principles of prevention including office design and ergonomically compliant workstations. Where risks are identified, work activity risk assessment are in place. Risks are evaluated and controlled if they cannot be fully removed.

All staff are provided with relevant workstation equipment. Where required, specific reasonable adjustments are in place to carry out their work. Office environment and workstation assessments are in place and compliant with Display Screen Equipment Regulations.


Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Health and Safety
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Department complies with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 through Joint Service Publications (JSPs) 375 and 912. JSP 375 sets out policy for managing the health and safety of personnel in defence including assessing and managing workplace and equipment safety. JSP 912 explains the requirement for human factors integration in defence systems and how to go about it.

Additionally, the Department provides a comprehensive framework of guidance and a dedicated Workplace Adjustment Service to ensure individuals who may have any additional requirements are not disadvantaged and have appropriate workplace adjustments in place.


Written Question
Ministry of Justice: Health and Safety
Thursday 29th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The MoJ customises its working conditions and processes to meet the needs and capabilities of all its staff. These include, but are not limited to, the physical layout and structure of the workplace, adjustable desks and chairs, providing equipment that is ergonomically designed, easy to use, and suitable for the tasks that workers need to perform, allowing flexibility in work schedules and reducing monotonous tasks, and ensuring that workers are not required to work at an excessively fast pace.


Written Question
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Health and Safety
Wednesday 28th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department empowers its managers to work with their team members to plan and agree their workload and ways of working, allowing for flexible, hybrid and collaborative working. The Department works with the Government Property Agency to provide a variety of work settings within its offices, including workstations, meeting rooms and collaborative workspaces. Department buildings are risk assessed to give a safe and healthy working environment for staff, and where required, specialist work equipment and software is provided. This allows staff to adapt and manage their workloads, working times and work equipment to best suit their activities.


Written Question
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Health and Safety
Wednesday 28th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Simon Hoare - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities designs work and workplaces to enable staff to work effectively, safely and comfortably. Where individuals have particular needs, the Department provides suitable adjustments.


Written Question
Department of Health and Social Care: Health and Safety
Wednesday 28th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department designs workplaces that can adapt to the needs of the individual. The majority of our estate has modern, flexible, ergonomic workplaces which should accommodate most individuals’ requirements. The Department has a comprehensive offer to ensure that individuals who may have additional requirements are not disadvantaged, can realise their potential, and have appropriate workplace adjustments in place.


Written Question
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Health and Safety
Wednesday 28th February 2024

Asked by: Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party - Glasgow South West)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to comply with principle (d) of schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The FCDO designs work and workplaces to adapt to the needs of individuals where practicable, noting our UK and international presence. Work is underway to review the accessibility of all our global estate, to ensure it is fit for purpose, accessible and safe. The majority of our estate has flexible, ergonomic workplaces which should accommodate most individuals' requirements. Where individuals require workplace adjustments, specialist equipment or a review of their working arrangements, we have a dedicated function responsible for assessing and assisting these colleagues. FCDO sites provide colleagues with a range of supportive working environments, including desks, collaborative working spaces and meeting rooms.